Intercalating Electron Dyes for TEM Visualization of DNA at the Single-Molecule Level.

ABSTRACT: Staining compounds containing heavy elements (electron dyes) can facilitate the visualization of DNA and related biomolecules by using TEM. However, research into the synthesis and utilization of alternative electron dyes has been limited. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel DNA intercalator molecule, bis-acridine uranyl (BAU). NMR spectroscopy and MS confirmed the validity of the synthetic strategy and gel electrophoresis verified the binding of BAU to DNA. For TEM imaging of DNA, two-dimensional DNA origami nanostructures were used as a robust microscopy test object. By using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging, which is favored over conventional wide-field TEM for improved contrast, and therefore, quantitative image analysis, it is found that the synthesized BA

SUBMITTER: Kabiri Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6470888 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature