Getting DNA and RNA out of the dark with 2CNqA: a bright adenine analogue and interbase FRET donor.

ABSTRACT: With the central role of nucleic acids there is a need for development of fluorophores that facilitate the visualization of processes involving nucleic acids without perturbing their natural properties and behaviour. Here, we incorporate a new analogue of adenine, 2CNqA, into both DNA and RNA, and evaluate its nucleobase-mimicking and internal fluorophore capacities. We find that 2CNqA displays excellent photophysical properties in both nucleic acids, is highly specific for thymine/uracil, and maintains and slightly stabilises the canonical conformations of DNA and RNA duplexes. Moreover, the 2CNqA fluorophore has a quantum yield in single-stranded and duplex DNA ranging from 10% to 44% and 22% to 32%, respectively, and a slightly lower one (average 12%) inside duplex RNA. In combination w

SUBMITTER: Wypijewska Del Nogal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7641321 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature