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A DNA–Azobenzene Nanopump Fueled by Upconversion Luminescence for Controllable Intracellular Drug Release
Author(s) -
Zhang Yue,
Zhang Yue,
Song Guobin,
He Yuling,
Zhang Xiaobo,
Liu Ying,
Ju Huangxian
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201909870
Subject(s) - azobenzene , photon upconversion , doxorubicin , intercalation (chemistry) , biophysics , drug delivery , luminescence , photoisomerization , chemistry , materials science , dna , photochemistry , nanotechnology , biochemistry , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , chemotherapy , biology , catalysis , molecule , isomerization , genetics
Stimulus‐responsive drug release possesses considerable significance in cancer therapy. This work reports an upconversion‐luminescence‐fueled DNA–azobenzene nanopump for rapid and efficient drug release. The nanopump is constructed by assembling the azobenzene‐functionalized DNA strands on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded in the nanopump by intercalation in the DNA helix. Under NIR light, the UCNPs emit both UV and visible photons to fuel the continuous photoisomerization of azo, which acts as an impeller pump to trigger cyclic DNA hybridization and dehybridization for controllable DOX release. In a relatively short period, this system demonstrates 86.7 % DOX release. By assembling HIV‐1 TAT peptide and hyaluronic acid on the system, targeting of the cancer‐cell nucleus is achieved for perinuclear aggregation of DOX and enhanced anticancer therapy. This highly effective drug delivery nanopump could contribute to chemotherapy development.