Nanoceria as a DNase I mimicking nanozyme

Abstract

We herein communicate the DNase I like activity of nanoceria (CeO₂ nanoparticles). Both CeO₂ and DNase I cleave polyadenine (poly-A) DNA down to ∼5-mer fragments as the major products, although further cleavage to even shorter fragments was observed with CeO₂. Mass spectrometry indicates a hydrolytic cleavage mechanism instead of oxidative cleavage.