Edge-programmed Pentameric DNA Tetrahedra for Precision Drug Release through Stimuli-responsive Full-frame Disintegration

Chang-Qing Yang; Rui Song; Meng-Qiu Sun; Wei Luo; Wan-Mei Xie; Jin-Cheng Zeng; Xin Liu; Hao Zhang

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3817-0

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Edge-programmed Pentameric DNA Tetrahedra for Precision Drug Release through Stimuli-responsive Full-frame Disintegration

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-10-23

- Edge-programmed Pentameric DNA Tetrahedra for Precision Drug Release through Stimuli-responsive Full-frame Disintegration
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Pages: 1-10(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mathematical and Neural Dynamical Systems, School of Physical Sciences, Great Bay University, Dongguan 523000, China
  b.Basic Medical Institute of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
  c.Dongguan Key Laboratory of Medical Bioactive Molecular Developmental and Translational Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Author bio：
  
  zengjc@gdmu.edu.cn (J.C.Z.)
  liux@nxmu.edu.cn (X.L.)
  zhanghao@gbu.edu.cn (H.Z.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3817-0
  CLC：
- Received：26 May 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-07-17，
  
  Accepted：19 July 2026，
  
  Online First：23 October 2026，
  
  Published：2026-08
- Accepted：
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Yang, C. Q.; Song, R.; Sun, M. Q.; Luo, W.; Xie, W. M.; Zeng, J. C.; Liu, X.; Zhang, H. Edge-programmed pentameric DNA tetrahedra for precision drug release through stimuli-responsive full-frame disintegration. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3817-0

Chang-Qing Yang, Rui Song, Meng-Qiu Sun, et al. Edge-programmed Pentameric DNA Tetrahedra for Precision Drug Release through Stimuli-responsive Full-frame Disintegration[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-10.
Yang, C. Q.; Song, R.; Sun, M. Q.; Luo, W.; Xie, W. M.; Zeng, J. C.; Liu, X.; Zhang, H. Edge-programmed pentameric DNA tetrahedra for precision drug release through stimuli-responsive full-frame disintegration. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3817-0 DOI：

Chang-Qing Yang, Rui Song, Meng-Qiu Sun, et al. Edge-programmed Pentameric DNA Tetrahedra for Precision Drug Release through Stimuli-responsive Full-frame Disintegration[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-10. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3817-0.

摘要

Abstract

Among the diverse DNA nanostructures explored for precise drug delivery

DNA tetrahedra have rapidly advanced to the forefront owing to their exceptional structural stability and highly efficient self-assembly. In contrast to conventional designs that rely on limited responsive elements

we engineered DNA tetrahedra that incorporate cytosine-rich sequences along every structural backbone. The acidic tumor microenvironment specifically triggers the stimuli-responsive full-frame disintegration of these nanocarriers. This complete structural collapse ensures the highly efficient and precise release of encapsulated antitumor drugs. Furthermore

assembling five tetrahedral units into a pentameric superstructure significantly enhanced drug payload capacity

improved cellular uptake

and maintained robust structural integrity. Systematic characterization confirmed the rapid stimulus-induced conformational transitions and selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. By effectively overcoming these fundamental delivery barriers

this study establishes practical design principles for the development of advanced DNA nanocarriers with higher therapeutic precision.

关键词

Keywords

references

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