Nuclease-mediated cleavage of DNA origami nanostructures: time-dependent degradation patterns

This work investigates nuclease interactions with DNA origami nanostructures of defined architecture, specifically triangular origami and six-helix bundle designs. DNase I, Exonuclease III, and Mung Bean Nuclease were used to probe non-specific and specific enzymatic interactions. Time-dependent degradation was characterised using agarose gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy. The findings demonstrate that DNA origami architecture strongly influences nuclease accessibility and degradation behaviour, with implications for structure-guided enzymatic modification and functional DNA nanotechnology.