Design and Applications of Split G-Quadruplex DNAzymes for Construction of Gated Biosensor

Adeoye, RI ORCID: 0000-0003-3367-4901, Osalaye, DS, Malomo, SO ORCID: 0000-0002-7575-6086 and Olorunniji, FJ ORCID: 0000-0001-9389-2981 (2026) Design and Applications of Split G-Quadruplex DNAzymes for Construction of Gated Biosensor. Catalysts, 16 (2). p. 117. ISSN 2073-4344

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Abstract

Split G-quadruplex DNAzymes offer unique opportunities for building gated biosensors with a wide range of applications. Splitting G4 DNAzymes involves separating guanine tracts in the G-quadruplex DNA sequence into two non-functional sequences that reconstitute into a functional G-quadruplex with peroxidase activity upon hybridisation of the aptamer probe region within the split system with the target molecule. Several studies have demonstrated the reassembly of split G4 DNAzymes and their applications in the detection of various analytes. This approach offers unique opportunities for modular biosensor construction, target-dependent activation, lack of requirement for labelling, amplification-free high sensitivity, and specificity over traditional G4 sensing. In this review, we explore the strategies of splitting G-quadruplex and their applications in biomedical diagnosis, environmental sensing, food safety monitoring, cell detection, and the integration of the technology with nanomaterials for enhanced stability and sensitivity. We considered the classical intermolecular split strategies that utilise binary probes and intramolecular split systems, which integrate the spacer DNA that allow for single probes as the model G4 sequence. Finally, we explore the current challenges required to develop split G-quadruplex DNAzymes into tools for routine practical applications.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural); 3406 Physical chemistry; 4004 Chemical engineering; 4018 Nanotechnology
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions:	Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	MDPI AG
Date of acceptance:	22 January 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	28 January 2026
Date Deposited:	28 Jan 2026 11:49
Last Modified:	28 Jan 2026 11:49
DOI or ID number:	10.3390/catal16020117
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27999

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