Fluorescent nucleic acid probes for DNA repair enzymes: Design strategies and applications

DNA repair enzymes play a vital role in the maintenance of genomic integrity, and the development of multiple diseases. Investigation of DNA repair enzymes is of great importance for understanding their functions in physiological processes and discovering new biomarkers. Fluorescent nucleic acid probes are regarded as a powerful technique for sensitive and accurate investigation of DNA repair enzymes, and the design strategies employed for these probes significantly influence the selectivity and sensitivity of analytical methods. In this article, we reviewed various design strategies of fluorescent nucleic acid probes for determination and visualization of DNA repair enzymes both in vitro and in cells, including probe structure, isothermal signal amplification methods and computer simulation-aided design techniques. In addition, the delivery methods of probes into cells are summarized. Furthermore, the potential challenges and future perspectives in this field are discussed.