DNA ENZYME AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE ACTIVITY THEREOF

摘要

It is intended to provide a DNA enzyme having a largely improved RNA cleavage activity compared with the existing DNA enzymes; and a method of controlling activity whereby the RNA cleavage activity of the DNA enzyme can be reversibly controlled by light irradiation. Namely, a DNA enzyme in which a nucleotide residue carrying an organic group selected from the group consisting of azobenzene, spiropyran, stilbene and derivatives thereof bonded thereto is transferred into the end in the 3'-side of the catalytic activity loop; and a method of controlling activity comprising, in controlling the RNA cleavage activity of a DNA enzyme, irradiating a DNA enzyme, in which a nucleotide residue carrying an organic group selected from the group consisting of azobenzene, spiropyran, stilbene and derivatives thereof bonded thereto is transferred, with light at a definite wavelength to thereby reversibly convert the planar structure the organic group into the non-planer structure (i.e., structural isomerization).