Molecularly Regulated Reversible DNA Polymerization

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie Vol. 128; no. 23; pp. 6769 - 6773
• Main Authors: Chen, Niancao, Shi, Xuechen, Wang, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; German
• Published: Weinheim Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Biomedical materials; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Decomposition; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Electrochemical machining; Extracellular matrix; Formations; Hybridisierung; Hybridization; Natural polymers; Nucleic acids; Physiology; Polymere; Polymerization; Polymers; Reversible Polymerisierung; Selbstorganisation
• ISSN: 0044-8249; 1521-3757
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201601008

Natural polymers are synthesized and decomposed under physiological conditions. However, it is challenging to develop synthetic polymers whose formation and reversibility can be both controlled under physiological conditions. Here we show that both linear and branched DNA polymers can be synthesized via molecular hybridization in aqueous solutions, on the particle surface, and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) without the involvement of any harsh conditions. More importantly, these polymers can be effectively reversed to dissociate under the control of molecular triggers. Since nucleic acids can be conjugated with various molecules or materials, we anticipate that molecularly regulated reversible DNA polymerization holds potential for broad biological and biomedical applications. Reversible DNA‐Polymerisierung: Lineare und verzweigte DNA‐Polymere wurden unter physiologischen Bedingungen mithilfe von molekularen Triggern synthetisiert und abgebaut (siehe Bild). Der Polymerisierungsmechanismus basiert auf der wohlbekannten Hybridisierungskettenreaktion.