Exploring base-pair-specific optical properties of the DNA stain thiazole orange

Plate-Based High-Throughput Fluorescence Assay for Assessing Enveloped Virus Integrity

Viruses are a considerable threat to global health and place major burdens on economies worldwide. Manufactured viruses are also being widely used as delivery agents to treat (gene therapies) or prevent diseases (vaccines). Therefore, it is vital to study and fully understand the infectious state of viruses. Current techniques used to study viruses are often slow or nonexistent, making the development of new techniques of paramount importance. Here we present a high-throughput and robust, cell-free plate-based assay (FAIRY: Fluorescence Assay for vIRal IntegritY), capable of differentiating intact from nonintact enveloped viruses, i.e, infectious from noninfectious. Using a thiazole orange-terminated polymer, a 99% increase in fluorescence was observed between treated (heat or virucide) and nontreated. The FAIRY assay allowed for the rapid determination of the infectivity of a range of enveloped viruses, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool for the study of viruses and interventions against them.

Cellular Visualization of G-Quadruplex RNA via Fluorescence- Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

Over the past decade, appreciation of the roles of G-quadruplex (G4) structures in cellular regulation and maintenance has rapidly grown, making the establishment of robust methods to visualize G4s increasingly important. Fluorescent probes are commonly used for G4 detection in vitro; however, achieving sufficient selectivity to detect G4s in a dense and structurally diverse cellular environment is challenging. The use of fluorescent probes for G4 detection is further complicated by variations of probe uptake into cells, which may affect fluorescence intensity independently of G4 abundance. In this work, we report an alternative small-molecule approach to visualize G4s that does not rely on fluorescence intensity switch-on and, thus, does not require the use of molecules with exclusive G4 binding selectivity. Specifically, we have developed a novel thiazole orange derivative, TOR-G4, that exhibits a unique fluorescence lifetime when bound to G4s compared to other structures, allowing G4 binding to be sensitively distinguished from non-G4 binding, independent of the local probe concentration. Furthermore, TOR-G4 primarily colocalizes with RNA in the cytoplasm and nucleoli of cells, making it the first lifetime-based probe validated for exploring the emerging roles of RNA G4s in cellulo.

Nile blue as reporter dye in salt aggregation based-colorimetric aptasensors for peptide, small molecule and metal ion detection

Herein, we report a novel approach for the design of a colorimetric aptasensor, relying on a Dye Salt Aggregation-based Colorimetric Oligonucleotide assay (DYSACO assay). This method is based on the use of an intercalating agent, Nile Blue (NB), whose aggregation capacities (and thus modification of its absorption spectrum) are drastically amplified by adding salts to the working solution. The presence of an aptamer could protect NB from such aggregation process due to its intercalation into double-stranded DNA and/or interaction with nucleobases. In response to the addition of the specific ligand, the competition between NB and the target for binding to the aptamer occurs, resulting in an increase in the dye salt aggregation and then in the blue-to-blank color change of the solution. The proof-of-principle was demonstrated by employing the anti-l-tyrosinamide aptamer and the assay was successfully applied to the trace enantiomer detection, allowing the detection of an enantiomeric impurity down to approximately 2% in a non-racemic sample. Through a reversed mechanism based on the increased capture of NB by DNA upon analyte binding, the sensing platform was further demonstrated for the Hg(II) detection. Water samples of different origin were spiked with Hg(II) analyte at final range concentrations comprised between (0.5-15 μM). An excellent overall recovery of 122 ± 14%; 105 ± 14%; 99 ± 9%; was respectively obtained from river, tap and mineral water, suggesting that the sensor can be used under real sample conditions. The assay was also shown to work for sensing the ochratoxin A and d-arginine vasopressin compounds, revealing its simplicity and generalizability potentialities.

Metal-Assisted Complexation of Fluorogenic Dyes by Cucurbit[7]uril and Cucurbit[8]uril: A DFT Evaluation of the Key Factors Governing the Host-Guest Recognition

With the emergence of host-guest systems, a novel branch of complexation chemistry has found wide application in industries such as food, pharmacy, medicine, environmental protection and cosmetics. Along with the extensively studied cyclodextrins and calixarenes, the innovative cucurbiturils (CB) have enjoyed increased popularity among the scientific community as they possess even better qualities as cavitands as compared to the former molecules. Moreover, their complexation abilities could further be enhanced with the assistance of metal cations, which can interestingly exert a dual effect on the complexation process: either by competitively binding to the host entity or cooperatively associating with the CB@guest structures. In our previous work, two metal species (Mg²⁺ and Ga³⁺) have been found to bind to CB molecules in the strongest fashion upon the formation of host-guest complexes. The current study focuses on their role in the complex formation with three dye molecules: thiazole orange, neutral red, and thioflavin T. Various key factors influencing the process have been recognized, such as pH and the dielectric constant of the medium, the cavity size of the host, Mⁿ⁺ charge, and the presence/absence of hydration shell around the metal cation. A well-calibrated DFT methodology, solidly based and validated and presented in the literature experimental data, is applied. The obtained results shed new light on several aspects of the cucurbituril complexation chemistry.

Double FIT hybridization probes – towards enhancing brightness, turn-on and specificity of RNA detection

Efficient fluorogenic hybridization probes combine high brightness and specificity of fluorescence signaling with large turn-on of fluorescence.

Stacked Thiazole Orange Dyes in DNA Capable of Switching Emissive Behavior in Response to Structural Transitions

Functional nucleic acids with the capability of generating fluorescence in response to hybridization events, microenvironment or structural changes are valuable as structural probes and chemical sensors. We now demonstrate the enzyme-assisted preparation of nucleic acids possessing multiple thiazole orange (TO) dyes and their fluorescent behavior, that show a spectral change from the typical monomer emission to the excimer-type red-shifted emission. We found that the fluorescent response and emission wavelength of the TO dyes were dependent on both the state of the DNA structure (single- or double-stranded DNA) and the arrangement of the TO dyes. We showed that the fluorescent behavior of the TO dyes can be applied for the detection of RNA molecules, suggesting that our approach for preparing the fluorescent nucleic acids functionalized with multiple TO dyes could be useful to design a fluorescence bioimaging and detection technique of biomolecules.

Broad Applications of Thiazole Orange in Fluorescent Sensing of Biomolecules and Ions

Fluorescent sensing of biomolecules has served as a revolutionary tool for studying and better understanding various biological systems. Therefore, it has become increasingly important to identify fluorescent building blocks that can be easily converted into sensing probes, which can detect specific targets with increasing sensitivity and accuracy. Over the past 30 years, thiazole orange (TO) has garnered great attention due to its low fluorescence background signal and remarkable 'turn-on' fluorescence response, being controlled only by its intramolecular torsional movement. These features have led to the development of numerous molecular probes that apply TO in order to sense a variety of biomolecules and metal ions. Here, we highlight the tremendous progress made in the field of TO-based sensors and demonstrate the different strategies that have enabled TO to evolve into a versatile dye for monitoring a collection of biomolecules.

Carbazole modified oligonucleotides: synthesis, hybridization studies and fluorescence properties

Synthesis of the novel thiophenyl carbazole phosphoramidite DNA building block 5 was accomplished in four steps using a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction from the core carbazole and it was seamlessly accommodated into a 9-mer DNA-based oligonucleotide by incorporation at the flanking 5'-end in combination with a central insertion of an LNA-T nucleotide. The carbazole-containing oligonucleotide was combined in different duplex hybrids, which were characterized by thermal denaturation, circular dichroism and fluorescence studies. The carbazole monomer modulates the duplex stability in various ways. Thus, monomer Z increased the thermal stability of the 9-mer towards the complementary 9-mer/15-mer DNA duplex by 4.2 °C. Furthermore, indications of its intercalation into the duplex were obtained by modeling studies and robust decreases in fluorescence emission intensities upon duplex formation. In contrast, no clear intercalating tendency was corroborated for monomer Z within the DNA/RNA hybrid duplex as indicated by moderate quenching of the fluorescence and similar duplex thermal stabilities relative to the corresponding control duplex. The recognition efficiencies of the carbazole modified oligonucleotide toward single nucleotide mismatches were studied with two 15-mer model targets (DNA and RNA). For both systems, mismatches positioned at the juxtaposition of the carbazole monomer showed pronounced deceases in thermal denaturation temperature. Steady-state fluorescence emission studies of all mismatched duplexes with incorporation of Z monomer typically displayed efficient fluorescence quenching.

Monitoring Dicer-Mediated miRNA-21 Maturation and Ago2 Loading by a Dual-Colour FIT PNA Probe Set

The inhibition of micro RNA (miRNA) maturation by Dicer and loading matured miRNAs into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) is envisioned as a modality for treatment of cancer. Existing methods for evaluating maturation either focus on the conversion of modified precursors or detect mature miRNA. Whereas the former is not applicable to native pre-miRNA, the latter approach underestimates maturation when both nonmatured and matured miRNA molecules are subject to cleavage. We present a set of two orthogonally labelled FIT PNA probes that distinguish between cleaved pre-miRNA and the mature miRNA duplex. The probes allow Dicer-mediated miR21 maturation to be monitored and Ago2-mediated unwinding of the miR21 duplex to be assayed. A two-channel fluorescence readout enables measurement in real-time without the need for specialized instrumentation or further enzyme mediated amplification.

Chemo-biological mRNA imaging with single nucleotide specificity

Unambiguous imaging of C → U edited mRNA calls for a method that distinguishes a locally high concentration of unbound probe or single nucleotide mismatched target from a locally low concentration of matched mRNA target. To address this issue, we combine FIT probes as a "chemical" detection system with the "biological" MS2 technique. Ratio measurements provide a convenient parameter to discriminate the edited from the unedited state of mRNA encoding for GlyR α2 in HEK cells.

Tracking RNA with light: selection, structure, and design of fluorescence turn-on RNA aptamers

Fluorescence turn-on aptamers, in vitro evolved RNA molecules that bind conditional fluorophores and activate their fluorescence, have emerged as RNA counterparts of the fluorescent proteins. Turn-on aptamers have been selected to bind diverse fluorophores, and they achieve varying degrees of specificity and affinity. These RNA-fluorophore complexes, many of which exceed the brightness of green fluorescent protein and their variants, can be used as tags for visualizing RNA localization and transport in live cells. Structure determination of several fluorescent RNAs revealed that they have diverse, unrelated overall architectures. As most of these RNAs activate the fluorescence of their ligands by restraining their photoexcited states into a planar conformation, their fluorophore binding sites have in common a planar arrangement of several nucleobases, most commonly a G-quartet. Nonetheless, each turn-on aptamer has developed idiosyncratic structural solutions to achieve specificity and efficient fluorescence turn-on. The combined structural diversity of fluorophores and turn-on RNA aptamers has already produced combinations that cover the visual spectrum. Further molecular evolution and structure-guided engineering is likely to produce fluorescent tags custom-tailored to specific applications.

Design of thiazole orange oligonucleotide probes for detection of DNA and RNA by fluorescence and duplex melting

We have synthesised a range of thiazole orange (TO) functionalised oligonucleotides for nucleic acid detection in which TO is attached to the nucleobase or sugar of thymidine. The properties of duplexes between TO-probes and their DNA and RNA targets strongly depend on the length of the linker between TO and the oligonucleotide, the position of attachment of TO to the nucleotide (major or minor groove) and the mode of attachment of thiazole orange (via benzothiazole or quinoline moiety). This information can be used to design probes for detection of target nucleic acids by fluorescence or duplex melting. With cellular imaging in mind we show that 2'-OMe RNA probes with TO at the 5-position of uracil or the 2'-position of the ribose sugar are particularly effective, exhibiting up to 44-fold fluorescence enhancement against DNA and RNA, and high duplex stability. Excellent mismatch discrimination is achieved when the mispaired base is located adjacent to the TO-modified nucleotide rather than opposite to it. The simple design, ease of synthesis and favourable properties of these TO probes suggest applications in fluorescent imaging of DNA and RNA in a cellular context.

Structure and functional reselection of the Mango-III fluorogenic RNA aptamer

Several turn-on RNA aptamers that activate small-molecule fluorophores have been selected in vitro. Among these, the ~30 nucleotide Mango-III is notable because it binds the thiazole orange derivative TO1-Biotin with high affinity and fluoresces brightly (quantum yield 0.55). Uniquely among related aptamers, Mango-III exhibits biphasic thermal melting, characteristic of molecules with tertiary structure. We report crystal structures of TO1-Biotin complexes of Mango-III, a structure-guided mutant Mango-III(A10U), and a functionally reselected mutant iMango-III. The structures reveal a globular architecture arising from an unprecedented pseudoknot-like connectivity between a G-quadruplex and an embedded non-canonical duplex. The fluorophore is restrained into a planar conformation by the G-quadruplex, a lone, long-range trans Watson-Crick pair (whose A10U mutation increases quantum yield to 0.66), and a pyrimidine perpendicular to the nucleobase planes of those motifs. The improved iMango-III and Mango-III(A10U) fluoresce ~50% brighter than enhanced green fluorescent protein, making them suitable tags for live cell RNA visualization.

Comparing Agent-Based Delivery of DNA and PNA Forced Intercalation (FIT) Probes for Multicolor mRNA Imaging

Fluorogenic oligonucleotide probes allow mRNA imaging in living cells. A key challenge is the cellular delivery of probes. Most delivery agents, such as cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) and pore‐forming proteins, require interactions with the membrane. Charges play an important role. To explore the influence of charge on fluorogenic properties and delivery efficiency, we compared peptide nucleic acid (PNA)‐ with DNA‐based forced intercalation (FIT) probes. Perhaps counterintuitively, fluorescence signaling by charged DNA FIT probes proved tolerant to CPP conjugation, whereas CPP–FIT PNA conjugates were affected. Live‐cell imaging was performed with a genetically engineered HEK293 cell line to allow the inducible expression of a specific mRNA target. Blob‐like features and high background were recurring nuisances of the tested CPP and lipid conjugates. By contrast, delivery by streptolysin‐O provided high enhancements of the fluorescence of the FIT probe upon target induction. Notably, DNA‐based FIT probes were brighter and more responsive than PNA‐based FIT probes. Optimized conditions enabled live‐cell multicolor imaging of three different mRNA target sequences.

Crystal Structures of the Mango-II RNA Aptamer Reveal Heterogeneous Fluorophore Binding and Guide Engineering of Variants with Improved Selectivity and Brightness

Several RNA aptamers that bind small molecules and enhance their fluorescence have been successfully used to tag and track RNAs in vivo, but these genetically encodable tags have not yet achieved single-fluorophore resolution. Recently, Mango-II, an RNA that binds TO1-Biotin with ∼1 nM affinity and enhances its fluorescence by >1500-fold, was isolated by fluorescence selection from the pool that yielded the original RNA Mango. We determined the crystal structures of Mango-II in complex with two fluorophores, TO1-Biotin and TO3-Biotin, and found that despite their high affinity, the ligands adopt multiple distinct conformations, indicative of a binding pocket with modest stereoselectivity. Mutational analysis of the binding site led to Mango-II(A22U), which retains high affinity for TO1-Biotin but now discriminates >5-fold against TO3-biotin. Moreover, fluorescence enhancement of TO1-Biotin increases by 18%, while that of TO3-Biotin decreases by 25%. Crystallographic, spectroscopic, and analogue studies show that the A22U mutation improves conformational homogeneity and shape complementarity of the fluorophore-RNA interface. Our work demonstrates that even after extensive functional selection, aptamer RNAs can be further improved through structure-guided engineering.

Fluorogenic PNA probes

Fluorogenic oligonucleotide probes that can produce a change in fluorescence signal upon binding to specific biomolecular targets, including nucleic acids as well as non-nucleic acid targets, such as proteins and small molecules, have applications in various important areas. These include diagnostics, drug development and as tools for studying biomolecular interactions in situ and in real time. The probes usually consist of a labeled oligonucleotide strand as a recognition element together with a mechanism for signal transduction that can translate the binding event into a measurable signal. While a number of strategies have been developed for the signal transduction, relatively little attention has been paid to the recognition element. Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are DNA mimics with several favorable properties making them a potential alternative to natural nucleic acids for the development of fluorogenic probes, including their very strong and specific recognition and excellent chemical and biological stabilities in addition to their ability to bind to structured nucleic acid targets. In addition, the uncharged backbone of PNA allows for other unique designs that cannot be performed with oligonucleotides or analogues with negatively-charged backbones. This review aims to introduce the principle, showcase state-of-the-art technologies and update recent developments in the areas of fluorogenic PNA probes during the past 20 years.

Single-Labeled Oligonucleotides Showing Fluorescence Changes Upon Hybridization with Target Nucleic Acids

Sequence-specific detection of nucleic acids has been intensively studied in the field of molecular diagnostics. In particular, the detection and analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is crucial for the identification of disease-causing genes and diagnosis of diseases. Sequence-specific hybridization probes, such as molecular beacons bearing the fluorophore and quencher at both ends of the stem, have been developed to enable DNA mutation detection. Interestingly, DNA mutations can be detected using fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes with only one fluorophore. This review summarizes recent research on single-labeled oligonucleotide probes that exhibit fluorescence changes after encountering target nucleic acids, such as guanine-quenching probes, cyanine-containing probes, probes containing a fluorophore-labeled base, and microenvironment-sensitive probes.

Rationalisation of a mechanism for sensing single point variants in target DNA using anthracene-tagged base discriminating probes

The fluorescence sensing mechanism for identifying single base changes in target DNA strands has been established through detailed biophysical measurements.

Optimization of the Alkyl Linker of TO Base Surrogate in Triplex-Forming PNA for Enhanced Binding to Double-Stranded RNA

A series of triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid (TFP) probes carrying a thiazole orange (TO) base surrogate through an alkyl linker was synthesized, and the interactions between these so-called tFIT probes and purine-rich sequences within double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) were examined. We found that the TO base surrogate linker significantly affected both the binding affinity and the fluorescence response upon triplex formation with the target dsRNA. Among the probes examined, the TO base surrogate connected through the propyl linker in the tFIT probes increased the binding affinity by a factor of ten while maintaining its function as the fluorescent universal base. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments revealed that the increased binding affinity resulted from the gain in the binding enthalpy, which could be explained by the enhanced π-stacking interaction between the TO base surrogate and the dsRNA part of the triplex. We expect that these results will provide a molecular basis for designing strong binding tFIT probes for fluorescence sensing of various kinds of purine-rich dsRNAs sequences including those carrying a pyrimidine-purine inversion. The obtained data also offers a new insight into further development of the universal bases incorporated in TFP.

Bivalent Display of Dicysteine on Peptide Nucleic Acids for Homogenous DNA/RNA Detection through in Situ Fluorescence Labelling

Fluorogenic probes that signal the presence of specific DNA or RNA sequences are key enabling tools for molecular disease diagnosis and imaging studies. Usually, at least one fluorophore is attached through covalent bonding to an oligonucleotide probe. However, the additional conjugation step increases costs. Here we introduce a method that avoids the requirement for the preparation of fluorescence-labelled oligonucleotides and provides the opportunity to alter the fluorogenic reporter dye without resynthesis. The method is based on adjacent hybridization of two dicysteine-containing peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes to form a bipartite tetracysteine motif that binds profluorescent bisarsenical dyes such as FIAsH, ReAsH or CrAsH. Binding is accompanied by strong increases in fluorescence emission (with response factors of up to 80-fold and high brightness up to 50 mL mol^-1  cm^-1 ). The detection system provides sub-nanomolar limits of detection and allows discrimination of single nucleotide variations through more than 20-fold changes in fluorescence intensity. To demonstrate its usefulness, the FIAsH-based readout of the bivalent CysCys-PNA display was interfaced with a rolling-circle amplification (RCA) assay used to detect disease-associated microRNA let-7a.

Single point mutation detection in living cancer cells by far-red emitting PNA-FIT probes

Peptide nucleic acid bis-quinoline conjugates are reported as attractive far-red emitting probes that detect mutated mRNA in living cells at SNP resolution.

DNA Stains as Surrogate Nucleobases in Fluorogenic Hybridization Probes

The increasing importance assigned to RNA dynamics in cells and tissues calls for probe molecules that enable fluorescence microscopy imaging in live cells. To achieve this goal, fluorescence dyes are conjugated with oligonucleotides so as to provide strong emission upon hybridization with the target molecule. The impressive 10(3)-fold fluorescence intensification observed when DNA stains such as thiazole orange (TO) interact with double-stranded DNA is intriguing and prompted the exploration of oligonucleotide conjugates. However, nonspecific interactions of DNA stains with polynucleotides tend to increase background, which would affect the contrast achievable in live-cell imaging. This Account describes the development of DNA-stain-labeled hybridization probes that provide high signal-to-background. We focus on our contributions in context with related advances from other laboratories. The emphasis will be on the requirements of RNA imaging in live cells. To reduce background, intercalator dyes such as TO were appended to peptide nucleic acid (PNA), which is less avidly recognized by DNA stains than DNA/RNA. Constraining the TO dye as a nucleobase surrogate in "forced intercalation (FIT) probes" improved the target specificity, presumably by helping to prevent unspecific interactions. The enforcement of TO intercalation between predetermined base pairs upon formation of the probe-target duplex provided for high brightness and enabled match/mismatch selectivity beyond stringency of hybridization. We show examples that highlight the use of PNA FIT probes in the imaging of mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA in living cells. The "FIT approach" was recently extended to DNA probes. Signal brightness can become limiting when low-abundance targets ought to be visualized over cellular autofluorescence. We discuss strategies that further the brightness of signaling by FIT probes. Multilabeling with identical dyes does not solve the brightness issue. To avoid self-quenching, we combined two different yet spectrally overlapping fluorescent base surrogates. A hybridization-sensitive dye serves as a light collector that transfers energy to a brightly emissive acceptor dye. To improve the brilliance of single-dye probes, the "TO-nucleotide" was accompanied by an adjacent locked nucleic acid (LNA) unit. The LNA-constrained FIT probes are responsive and bright, enabling the tracking of mRNA transport in living tissue. We also show that the color repertoire of FIT probes is not restricted to the green-emissive TO but can be expanded to cyan and red. A new base surrogate (4,4-linked bisquinoline) provided up to 195-fold enhancement of the fluorescence.

LNA-enhanced DNA FIT-probes for multicolour RNA imaging

The simultaneous imaging of different RNA molecules in homogeneous solution is a challenge and requires optimisation to enable unambiguous staining of intracellular RNA targets. Our approach relies on single dye forced intercalation (FIT) probes, in which a visco-sensitive reporter of the thiazole orange (TO) family serves as a surrogate nucleobase and provides enhancements of fluorescence upon hybridisation. Previous FIT probes spanned the cyan and green emission range. Herein, we report for the first time chromophores for FIT probes that emit in the red range (above 600 nm). Such probes are valuable to overcome cellular auto-fluorescent background and enable multiplexed detection. In order to find suitable chromophores, we developed a submonomer approach that facilitated the rapid analysis of different TO family dyes in varied sequence positions. A carboxymethylated 4,4'-methine linked cyanine, which we named quinoline blue (QB), provided exceptional response characteristics at the 605 nm emission maximum. Exceeding previously reported base surrogates, the emission of the QB nucleotide intensified by up to 195-fold upon binding of complementary RNA. Owing to large extinction coefficients and quantum yields (up to ε = 129.000 L mol-1 cm-1 and Φ = 0.47, respectively) QB-FIT probes enable imaging of intracellular mRNA. A mixture of BO-, TO- and QB-containing FIT probes allowed the simultaneous detection of three different RNA targets in homogenous solution. TO- and QB-FIT probes were used to localize oskar mRNA and other polyadenylated mRNA molecules in developing oocytes from Drosphila melanogaster by means of wash-free fluorescent in situ hybridisation and super resolution microscopy (STED).

The role of duplex stability for wavelength-shifting fluorescent DNA probes: energy transfer vs. exciton interactions in DNA "traffic lights"

Exciton interactions between thiazole orange and thiazole red as nucleotide substitutes in DNA hairpins interfere with efficient energy transfer and fluorescence color change as readout. This interference can be tuned by two structural parameters that control the hairpin duplex stability.

Ultrasensitive Molecular Beacon Designed with Totally Serinol Nucleic Acid (SNA) for Monitoring mRNA in Cells

An artificial nucleic acid based on acyclic serinol building blocks and termed "serinol nucleic acid" (SNA) was used to construct a fluorescent probe for RNA visualization in cells. The molecular beacon (MB) composed of only SNA with a fluorophore at one terminus and a quencher at the other was resistant to enzymatic digestion, due to its unnatural acyclic scaffold. The SNA-MB could detect its complementary RNA with extremely high sensitivity; the signal-to-background (S/B) ratio was as high as 930 when perylene and anthraquinone were used as the fluorophore and quencher pair. A high S/B ratio was also achieved with SNA-MB tethering the conventional Cy3 fluorophore, and this probe enabled selective visualization of target mRNA in fixed cells. Thus, SNA-MB has potential for use as a biological tool capable of visualizing RNA in living cells.

Brightness through local constraint--LNA-enhanced FIT hybridization probes for in vivo ribonucleotide particle tracking

Imaging the dynamics of RNA in living cells is usually performed by means of transgenic approaches that require modification of RNA targets and cells. Fluorogenic hybridization probes would also allow the analysis of wild-type organisms. We developed nuclease-resistant DNA forced intercalation (FIT) probes that combine the high enhancement of fluorescence upon hybridization with the high brightness required to allow tracking of individual ribonucleotide particles (RNPs). In our design, a single thiazole orange (TO) intercalator dye is linked as a nucleobase surrogate and an adjacent locked nucleic acid (LNA) unit serves to introduce a local constraint. This closes fluorescence decay channels and thereby increases the brightness of the probe-target duplexes. As few as two probes were sufficient to enable the tracking of oskar mRNPs in wild-type living Drosophila melanogaster oocytes.

Detection of cyclin D1 mRNA by hybridization sensitive NIC-oligonucleotide probe

A large group of fluorescent hybridization probes, includes intercalating dyes for example thiazole orange (TO). Usually TO is coupled to nucleic acids post-synthetically which severely limits its use. Here, we have developed a phosphoramidite monomer, 10, and prepared a 2'-OMe-RNA probe, labeled with 5-(trans-N-hexen-1-yl-)-TO-2'-deoxy-uridine nucleoside, dU(TO), (Nucleoside bearing an Inter-Calating moiety, NIC), for selective mRNA detection. We investigated a series of 15-mer 2'-OMe-RNA probes, targeting the cyclin D1 mRNA, containing one or several dU(TO) at various positions. dU(TO)-2'-OMe-RNA exhibited up to 7-fold enhancement of TO emission intensity upon hybridization with the complementary RNA versus that of the oligomer alone. This NIC-probe was applied for the specific detection of a very small amount of a breast cancer marker, cyclin D1 mRNA, in total RNA extract from cancerous cells (250 ng/μl). Furthermore, this NIC-probe was found to be superior to our related NIF (Nucleoside with Intrinsic Fluorescence)-probe which could detect cyclin D1 mRNA target only at high concentrations (1840 ng/μl). Additionally, dU(T) can be used as a monomer in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, thus avoiding the need for post-synthetic modification of oligonucleotide probes. Hence, we propose dU(TO) oligonucleotides, as hybridization probes for the detection of specific RNA in homogeneous solutions and for the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Thiazole orange-conjugated peptide nucleic acid for fluorescent detection of specific DNA sequences and site-selective photodamage

Conjugates of thiazole orange (TO) with a pseudo-complementary peptide nucleic acid (pcPNA) functioned as (i) fluorescent detector of specific DNA and (ii) site-selective photodamage inducer through generation of ¹O₂.

Brightness enhanced DNA FIT-probes for wash-free RNA imaging in tissue

Fluorogenic oligonucleotides enable RNA imaging in cells and tissues. A high responsiveness of fluorescence is required when unbound probes cannot be washed away. Furthermore, emission should be bright in order to enable detection against autofluorescent background. The development of fluorescence-quenched hybridization probes has led to remarkable improvement of fluorescence responsiveness. Yet, comparably little attention has been paid to the brightness of smart probes. We describe hybridization probes that combine responsiveness with a high brightness of the measured signal. The method relies upon quencher-free DNA forced intercalation (FIT)-probes, in which two (or more) intercalator dyes of the thiazole orange (TO) family serve as nucleobase surrogates. Initial experiments on multi-TO-labeled probes led to improvements of responsiveness, but self-quenching limited their brightness. To enhance both brightness and responsiveness the highly responsive TO nucleoside was combined with the highly emissive oxazolopyridine analogue JO. Single-stranded TO/JO FIT-probes are dark. In the probe-target duplex, quenching caused by torsional twisting and dye-dye contact is prevented. The TO nucleoside appears to serve as a light collector that increases the extinction coefficient and transfers excitation energy to the JO emitter. This leads to very bright JO emission upon hybridization (F/F0 = 23, brightness = 43 mL mol(-1) cm(-1) at λex = 516 nm). TO/JO FIT-probes allowed the direct fluorescence microscopic imaging of oskar mRNA within a complex tissue. Of note, RNA imaging was feasible under wide-field excitation conditions. The described protocol enables rapid RNA imaging in tissue without the need for cutting-edge equipment, time-consuming washing, or signal amplification.

Dual fluorophore PNA FIT-probes--extremely responsive and bright hybridization probes for the sensitive detection of DNA and RNA

Fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides are commonly employed as probes to detect specific DNA or RNA sequences in homogeneous solution. Useful probes should experience strong increases in fluorescent emission upon hybridization with the target. We developed dual labeled peptide nucleic acid probes, which signal the presence of complementary DNA or RNA by up to 450-fold enhancements of fluorescence intensity. This enabled the very sensitive detection of a DNA target (40 pM LOD), which was detectable at less than 0.1% of the beacon concentration. In contrast to existing DNA-based molecular beacons, this PNA-based method does not require a stem sequence to enforce dye-dye communication. Rather, the method relies on the energy transfer between a "smart" thiazole orange (TO) nucleotide, which requires formation of the probe-target complex in order to become fluorescent, and terminally appended acceptor dyes. To improve upon fluorescence responsiveness the energy pathways were dissected. Hydrophobic, spectrally mismatched dye combinations allowed significant (99.97%) decreases of background emission in the absence of a target. By contrast, spectral overlap between TO donor emission and acceptor excitation enabled extremely bright FRET signals. This and the large apparent Stokes shift (82 nm) suggests potential applications in the detection of specific RNA targets in biogenic matrices without the need of sample pre-processing prior to detection.

Nucleic acid fluorescent probes for biological sensing

Nucleic acid fluorescent probes are playing increasingly important roles in biological sensing in recent years. In addition to the conventional functions of single-stranded DNA/RNA to hybridize with their complementary strands, affinity nucleic acids (aptamers) with specific target binding properties have also been developed, which has greatly broadened the application of nucleic acid fluorescent probes to the detection of a large variety of analytes, including small molecules, proteins, ions, and even whole cells. Another chemical property of nucleic acids is to act as substrates for various nucleic acid enzymes. This property can be utilized not only to detect those enzymes and screen their inhibitors, but also employed to develop effective signal amplification systems, which implies extensive applications. This review mainly covers the biosensing methods based on the above three types of nucleic acid fluorescent probes. The most widely used intensity-based biosensing assays are covered first, including nucleic acid probe-based signal amplification methods. Then fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence anisotropy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy assays are introduced, respectively. As a rapidly developing field, fluorescence imaging approaches are also briefly summarized.

PNA FIT-probes for the dual color imaging of two viral mRNA targets in influenza H1N1 infected live cells

Fluorogenic hybridization probes that allow RNA imaging provide information as to how the synthesis and transport of particular RNA molecules is orchestrated in living cells. In this study, we explored the peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based FIT-probes in the simultaneous imaging of two different viral mRNA molecules expressed during the replication cycle of the H1N1 influenza A virus. PNA FIT-probes are non-nucleotidic, nonstructured probes and contain a single asymmetric cyanine dye which serves as a fluorescent base surrogate. The fluorochrome acts as a local intercalator probe and reports hybridization of target DNA/RNA by enhancement of fluorescence. Though multiplexed hybridization probes are expected to facilitate the analysis of RNA expression, there are no previous reports on the dual color imaging of two different viral mRNA targets. In this work, we developed a set of two differently colored PNA FIT-probes that allow the spectrally resolved imaging of mRNA coding for neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein 1 (M1); proteins which execute distinct functions during the replication of the influenza A virus. The probes are characterized by a wide range of applicable hybridization temperatures. The same probe sequence enabled live-cell RNA imaging (at 37 °C) as well as real-time PCR measurements (at 60 °C annealing temperature). This facilitated a comprehensive analysis of RNA expression by quantitative (qPCR) and qualitative (imaging) means. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the viral-RNA specific PNA FIT-probes neither stained noninfected cells nor cells infected by a control virus. The joint use of differently colored PNA FIT-probes in this feasibility study revealed significant differences in the expression pattern of influenza H1N1 mRNAs coding for NA or M1. These experiments provide evidence for the usefulness of PNA FIT-probes in investigations on the temporal and spatial progression of mRNA synthesis in living cells for two mRNA species.

Single labeled DNA FIT probes for avoiding false-positive signaling in the detection of DNA/RNA in qPCR or cell media

Oligonucleotide hybridization probes that fluoresce upon binding to complementary nucleic acid targets allow the real-time detection of DNA or RNA in homogeneous solution. The most commonly used probes rely on the distance-dependent interaction between a fluorophore and another label. Such dual-labeled oligonucleotides signal the change of the global conformation that accompanies duplex formation. However, undesired nonspecific binding events and/or probe degradation also lead to changes in the label-label distance and, thus, to ambiguities in fluorescence signaling. Herein, we introduce singly labeled DNA probes, "DNA FIT probes", that are designed to avoid false-positive signals. A thiazole orange (TO) intercalator dye serves as an artificial base in the DNA probe. The probes show little background because the attachment mode hinders 1) interactions of the "TO base" in cis with the disordered nucleobases of the single strand, and 2) intercalation of the "TO nucleotide" with double strands in trans. However, formation of the probe-target duplex enforces stacking and increases the fluorescence of the TO base. We explored open-chain and carbocyclic nucleotides. We show that the incorporation of the TO nucleotides has no effect on the thermal stability of the probe-target complexes. DNA and RNA targets provided up to 12-fold enhancements of the TO emission upon hybridization of DNA FIT probes. Experiments in cell media demonstrated that false-positive signaling was prevented when DNA FIT probes were used. Of note, DNA FIT probes tolerate a wide range of hybridization temperature; this enabled their application in quantitative polymerase chain reactions.

"DNA traffic lights": concept of wavelength-shifting DNA probes and application in an aptasensor

Add it and see it: The concept of "DNA traffic lights" for wavelength-shifting DNA probes has a great potential in the application of biosensors, for example, in DNA aptamers. A visual color change in the DNA aptasensor fluorescence from green to red occurs after specific target binding.

Detection of endogenous K-ras mRNA in living cells at a single base resolution by a PNA molecular beacon

Detection of mRNA alterations is a promising approach for identifying biomarkers as means of differentiating benign from malignant lesions. By choosing the KRAS oncogene as a target gene, two types of molecular beacons (MBs) based on either phosphothioated DNA (PS-DNA-MB) or peptide nucleic acid (TO-PNA-MB, where TO = thiazole orange) were synthesized and compared in vitro and in vivo. Their specificity was examined in wild-type KRAS (HT29) or codon 12 point mutation (Panc-1, SW480) cells. Incubation of both beacons with total RNA extracted from the Panc-1 cell line (fully complementary sequence) showed a fluorescent signal for both beacons. Major differences were observed, however, for single mismatch mRNA transcripts in cell lines HT29 and SW480. PS-DNA-MB weakly discriminated such single mismatches in comparison to TO-PNA-MB, which was profoundly more sensitive. Cell transfection of TO-PNA-MB with the aid of PEI resulted in fluorescence in cells expressing the fully complementary RNA transcript (Panc-1) but undetectable fluorescence in cells expressing the K-ras mRNA that has a single mismatch to the designed TO-PNA-MB (HT29). A weaker fluorescent signal was also detected in SW480 cells; however, these cells express approximately one-fifth of the target mRNA of the designed TO-PNA-MB. In contrast, PS-DNA-MB showed no fluorescence in all cell lines tested post PEI transfection. Based on the fast hybridization kinetics and on the single mismatch discrimination found for TO-PNA-MB we believe that such molecular beacons are promising for in vivo real-time imaging of endogenous mRNA with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) resolution.

Recognition-mediated light-up of thiazole orange with cucurbit[8]uril: exchange and release by chemical stimuli

This article reports a convenient supramolecular strategy to construct fluorescent photoswitchable molecular assemblies between a macrocyclic host, cucurbit[8]uril (CB8), and a fluorogenic dye, thiazole orange (TO). The interaction mechanism and the stable stoichiometric host-guest arrangements have been claimed on the basis of the optical absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy measurements, and also the geometry optimization studies. The CB8 recognized TO in its 2:2 stoichiometry exhibited spectacular fluorescence enhancement of the order of 1700 fold, which is the largest directly determined value so far reported for a dye in an organic macrocyclic system. This prospective 2CB8:2TO assembly responded to selected chemical stimuli such as metal ions, adamantylamine, and tryptophan, providing different dissociation mechanisms and demonstrating a controlled exchange and release action desired with such noncovalently linked assemblies. Positively, considering the aqueous solubility and biocompatibility of the host-guest constituents, this methodology can evolve into a general approach to deliver and operate intracellularly functional molecular components under chemical/thermal/optical trigger control, especially for therapeutic applications.

Nucleic acid probe containing fluorescent tricyclic base-linked acyclonucleoside for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms

The development of a reliable and simple method for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), common genetic variations in the human genome, is currently an important research area because SNPs are important for identifying disease-causing genes and for pharmacogenetic studies. Here, we developed a novel method for SNP detection. We designed and synthesized DNA probes containing a fluorescent tricyclic base-linked acyclonucleoside P. The type of nucleobases involved in the SNP sites in the DNA and RNA targets could be determined using four DNA probes containing P. Thus, this system would provide a novel and simple method for detecting SNPs in DNA and RNA targets.

Fluorescence detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms using nucleic acid probe containing tricyclic base-linked acyclonucleoside

A reliable and simple method for detecting nucleobase mutations is very important clinically because sequence variations in human DNA cause genetic diseases and genetically influenced traits. A majority of sequence variations are attributed to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Here, we developed a method for SNP detection using DNA probes that contained a fluorescent tricyclic base-linked acyclonucleoside N. The type of nucleobases involved in the SNP sites in an RNA target could be determined using four DNA probes containing N. Further, we found that the SNP in the RNA target could be detected by a visible color. Thus, this system would provide a novel and simple method for detecting SNPs in an RNA target.

Fluorescent DNA nanotags featuring covalently attached intercalating dyes: synthesis, antibody conjugation, and intracellular imaging

We have synthesized fluorescent DNA duplexes featuring multiple thiazole orange (TO) intercalating dyes covalently attached to the DNA via a triazole linkage. The intercalating dyes stabilize the duplex against thermal denaturation and show bright fluorescence in the green region of the spectrum. The emission color can be changed to orange or red by addition of energy-accepting Cy3 or Cy5 dyes attached covalently to the DNA duplex. The dye-modified DNA duplexes were then attached to a secondary antibody for intracellular fluorescence imaging of centrosomes in Drosophila embryos. Bright fluorescent foci were observed at the centrosomes in both the donor (TO) and acceptor (Cy5) channels, because the energy transfer efficiency is moderate. Monitoring the Cy5 emission channel significantly minimized the background signal because of the large shift in emission wavelength allowed by energy transfer.