Targeted degradation of multiple oncogenic membrane proteins remains challenging due to inefficient lysosomal trafficking and off-target effects, which limits the application of current monovalent aptamer systems. To improve delivery efficiency and degradation efficacy, we developed a specific multivalent network “power train” probe based on rolling circle amplification (RCA) and lysosome-targeting chimera (LYTAC). The probe integrates three functional aptamers: cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-M6PR) aptamer, responsible for lysosomal trafficking, functions as the “locomotive”; AS1411, which targets nucleolin (NCL), and Sgc8c, which binds to protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), act as the “carriages”. This tri-aptamer configuration enables simultaneous degradation of both NCL and PTK7. Compared with linear probes, the efficiency of protein degradation is increased by 1.5–1.7 fold, and the enhancement of its cytotoxicity is significantly increased by 4.7–5.8 fold. This network structure’s structure significantly improves binding affinity (the affinity of the network structure is 6.1–6.3 fold higher than that of monovalent aptamers) while enhancing lysosomal degradation efficiency. Removal of any single functional unit will reduce the efficacy of the probe. This “power train” exerts tumor-selective cytotoxicity through dual oncoprotein degradation by coordinately regulating CI-M6PR-mediated lysosomal targeting, AS1411-mediated NCL degradation, and Sgc8c-induced PTK7 degradation, thereby inducing apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation and migration of tumor cells. • Reticular DNA “power train” enables lysosomal degradation of dual oncoproteins NCL & PTK7. • Dual-target degradation induces apoptosis, inhibits proliferation and migration. • The developed probe exhibits excellent universality towards both different cells and proteins.
Liang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.