Figure 1.

General concept of nucleic acid-triggered catalytic drug release. The triggering nucleic acid sequence could in principle be either an mRNA or duplex DNA sequence specific to the disease state. The catalyst and drug could be attached to any sequence-specific single- or double-strand binding agent, such as an ODN or analog such as peptide nucleic acid, or a minor groove-binding polyamide. Ideally, the drug-releasing catalytic component binds tightly to the triggering sequence to form an enzyme-like catalyst, whereas the prodrug binds reversibly, so that it can be exchanged for another prodrug after release of the drug.