DNA tetrahedral nanostructure (DTN)

DNA tetrahedral nanostructures (DTNs) are three-dimensional, pyramid-shaped scaffolds engineered from four specific strands of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) through self-assembly. These nanostructures have emerged as versatile tools in nanomedicine due to their high stability, biocompatibility, and ability to be precisely functionalized with various therapeutic cargoes, including small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids. Unlike linear dsDNA, DTNs exhibit enhanced cellular uptake via caveolae-mediated endocytosis and are significantly more resistant to nuclease degradation, making them ideal for drug delivery. In therapeutic contexts, DTNs are often used to deliver chemotherapeutic agents like doxorubicin or to present antigens and adjuvants for immunotherapy, where the DNA scaffold itself can act as a TLR9 agonist. While not a traditional biological target like a receptor or enzyme, DTNs serve as a critical molecular platform for targeted therapy and biosensing applications.

Other names

DNA tetrahedronTetrahedral DNA nanostructureTDNDTNA-DNA/B-DNA tetrahedral nanostructureADNAB tetrahedral nanostructure

Drug delivery vehicle, TLR9 agonism, Protection from nuclease degradation