DNA mimics of red fluorescent proteins (RFP) based on G-quadruplex-confined synthetic RFP chromophores.

ABSTRACT: Red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) have emerged as valuable biological markers for biomolecule imaging in living systems. Developing artificial fluorogenic systems that mimic RFPs remains an unmet challenge. Here, we describe the design and synthesis of six new chromophores analogous to the chromophores in RFPs. We demonstrate, for the first time, that encapsulating RFP chromophore analogues in canonical DNA G-quadruplexes (G4) can activate bright fluorescence spanning red and far-red spectral regions (Em = 583-668 nm) that nearly match the entire RFP palette. Theoretical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that DNA G4 greatly restricts radiationless deactivation of chromophores induced by a twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT). These DNA mimics of RFP exhibit attr

SUBMITTER: Feng G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5737560 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature