Signal amplification by enzymatic tools for nucleic acids

•Analytical methods coupling polymerase chain reaction and other modern techniques.•We review isothermal polymerization-amplification strategies.•We discuss nuclease-assisted signal-amplification strategies.•We summarize ligase-assisted signal-amplification strategies.

This review provides a comprehensive overview of current research involving the use of enzymatic tools for nucleic acids in the fabrication of signal amplification for biosensors. The enzymes include polymerases, nucleases, helicases, and ligases. They have the capability to mimic biological signal transduction or amplification processes, which can be applied in nucleic-acid assays by smart designs. Since most of the enzymatic tools have highly efficient catalytic effects, the sensitivity of the assays can be guaranteed. Moreover, DNA can be used as a promising material for nanobiotechnology, and the nanostructures of DNA can be engineered to recognize a variety of molecules. Thus, such enzymatic tools can be largely used for biosensing. Enzymatic tools for nucleic acids may have great practical utility in cutting-edge analytical methods and protocols.