Near-Infrared Light-Controlled DNA System for Targeted Imaging and Treatment of Mitochondrial DNA Mutations

A detection limit of 0.83 pM was achieved for mitochondrial DNA mutations using a near-infrared light-inducible CRISPR-Cas12a nanosystem.

• The nanosystem allows for imaging and editing of mitochondrial DNA mutations in living cells and tumor-bearing mice.
• NIR irradiation activates the system, leading to linker cleavage and enhanced fluorescence for mutation detection.
• Editing of mtDNA mutations disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential and increases reactive oxygen species levels.
• These changes promote apoptosis and contribute to effective tumor suppression.

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