Sequence-specific fluorescence turn-on arises from base pairing-templated tautomerism in the tricyclic cytidine analogue ^DEAtC.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescent probes for measuring the structure, dynamics, cellular localization, and biochemistry of DNA and RNA are useful for determining the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. Intrinsically fluorescent, Watson-Crick-capable nucleobase analogues are especially powerful because they can precisely probe desired loci while minimally perturbing native nucleic acid function. Here, we study the fluorescent responses of the tricyclic pyrimidine analogue ^DEAtC to base pairing with adenine, guanine, and a set of noncanonical nucleobases in duplex DNA oligonucleotides. We find that single-stranded oligonucleotides containing one ^DEAtC exhibit up to a fivefold fluorescence increase upon hybrid duplex formation and base pairing with G, and a lesser degree of fluorescence

SUBMITTER: Shalamberidze A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12690291 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature