Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) have emerged as a versatile platform with extensive applications in biosensing and targeted therapy. Among various SNA construction strategies, poly-adenine-mediated assembly has been recognized as a particularly convenient and efficient approach. A critical factor determining the performance of SNAs in biological applications is their resistance to nucleases, which directly influences their in vivo half-life and detection efficiency. However, systematic investigations into nuclease activity on SNA surfaces remain scarce. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of S1 nuclease activity on poly-A-SNA surfaces, with comparative studies conducted on thiolated nucleic acid-coated gold nanoparticles (SH-SNA). These findings are expected to significantly expand the biological and chemical applications of poly-A-SNAs in complex environments, particularly in scenarios where nuclease resistance is crucial for optimal performance.
Wang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.