Switchable DNA-Scaffolded Multivalent Aptamer through Stimuli-Responsive Plug-and-Play Modules for Protein Regulation

Multivalent molecular interactions enhance binding affinity and enable functional regulation in biological systems, inspiring the development of multivalent materials for biosensing and biomedical applications. The capacity to reversibly switch between low-valency and multivalency as needed is key to regulating their function. However, current design strategies face challenges in enabling such switching within the same system through a response to multiple stimuli. Here, as a proof of concept, we demonstrate a switchable multivalent system for regulating thrombin activity. This system is based on thrombin aptamer-decorated DNA tile assembly and introduces stimuli-responsive plug-and-play modules that serve as dynamic, reversible, and orthogonal switches responding to the corresponding stimuli, including UV light, APE1, and RNase H. We construct three-layer switching cascades activated by one-, two-, or three stimuli to regulate thrombin activity. Building upon this programmable multivalent aptamer system, we further translate switchable modules into spatiotemporal control logic to construct a tristate circuit. We hope that the switchable DNA scaffold-based multivalent regulatory approach can provide a versatile modular platform with potential applications in precision medicine, biosensing, and biomaterials.