Determination of nucleic acids using phosphin 3R as a fluorescence probe

Sensitive determination of DNA based on phosphate-dye interaction using photothermal lens technique

Photothermal lens spectrometry is a powerful optical detection technique that can be used to investigate biomolecules. In this work, for the first time to our knowledge, photothermal lens spectrometry was used for determination of nanomolar concentrations of three distinct deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strands using methylene blue as a labeling dye. Methylene blue interacts with phosphate groups of the DNA in lower DNA concentrations. It was observed that phosphate-methylene blue interaction had no obvious effect on methylene blue absorption and fluorescence spectra, but the photothermal lens spectrometry signal of methylene blue increased with DNA concentration. For this purpose, to evaluate the performance of the presented method, herring sperm DNA, Escherichia coli bacteria DNA, and partial 16S rRNA genes were examined. Under optimum conditions, photothermal lens spectrometry intensity of methylene blue increased linearly with DNA concentration when herring sperm DNA, Escherichia coli DNA, and 16S rRNA gene concentrations increased in the ranges of 0.1-250, 1-700, and 1-800  nmol L^-1, respectively. The corresponding detection limits were found to be 0.07, 0.71, and 0.56  nmol L^-1, respectively, and relative standard deviations for 50  nmol L^-1 of the tested samples were 2.59%, 4.95%, and 4.57%, respectively.

Sensitive determination of DNA based on the interaction between prulifloxacin-terbium(III) complex and DNA

A simple spectrofluorimetric method is described for the determination of DNA, based on its enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of prulifloxacin (PUFX)-Tb(3+). The luminescence intensity of the PUFX-Tb(3+) complex increased up to 10-fold after adding DNA. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 345 and 545 nm, respectively. Under optimum conditions, variations in the fluorescence intensity showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of hsDNA in the range of 3.0 × 10(-9) to 1.0 × 10(-6) g/mL, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.997, and the detection limit was 2.1 × 10(-9) g/mL. The method was successfully applied to the determination of DNA in synthetic samples, and recoveries were in the range 97.3-102.0%. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement of the PUFX-Tb(3+) complex by DNA is also discussed. The mechanism may involve formation of a ternary complex mainly by intercalation binding together with weak electrostatic interaction, which will increase the energy transition from ligand to Tb(3+), increasing the rigidity of the complex, and decreasing the radiationless energy loss through O-H vibration of the H2O molecule in the PUFX-Tb(3+) complex. Compared with the previous DNA probes, the proposed method is not only more robust and friendly to the environment, but also of relatively higher sensitivity.

Interaction of paraquat with calf thymus DNA: a terbium(III) luminescent probe and multispectral study

Terbium(III), as a good luminescent probe, was developed for the study of the interaction between paraquat and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) when the binding mode of small molecules to DNA was electrostatic binding. This interaction was further investigated using an ethidium bromide (EB) probe, UV absorption spectra, and circular dichroism spectra. On the basis of Scatchard plots constructed from fluorescence titration data of the ctDNA-Tb(3+) system in the presence of paraquat, the binding constants between paraquat and ctDNA were obtained. The results showed that the electrostatic attraction between positively charged sodium ion and negatively charged phosphate groups could inhibit the binding of paraquat to ctDNA, and competitive inhibition between Tb(3+) and paraquat also existed when they were bound to ctDNA. The effects of paraquat on the fluorescence intensity of the EB-ctDNA system indicated that the intercalation binding of paraquat to ctDNA could be excluded. This conclusion could be further supported by both the absorption spectra of paraquat in the presence of ctDNA and the CD spectra of the paraquat-ctDNA system.

The fluorescence enhancement of quercetin-nucleic acid system and the analytical application

Nucleic acid can greatly enhance the fluorescence intensity of quercetin in HMTA-HCl (pH 5.5) buffer. The enhanced intensity is in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 5.0 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) g/mL for fsDNA, 5.0 x 10(-9) to 7.0 x 10(-7) g/mL for ctDNA and 5.0 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) g/mL for yRNA, and their detection limits (S/N = 3) are 3.5 x 10(-9), 7.8 x 10(-10) and 2.6 x 10(-9) g/mL, respectively. In comparison with most reported fluorescent probes for the determination of nucleic acids, the proposed probe has higher sensitivity and lower toxicity. The interaction investigation indicates that quercetin binds with double-strand DNA in groove binding mode, resulting in fluorescence enhancement of this system.

Fluorescence interaction and determination of calf thymus DNA with two ethidium derivatives

In this paper, we reported the syntheses and investigation of the modes of binding to DNA of the two new ethidium derivatives containing benzoyl and phenylacetyl groups of both amines at 3-and 8- positions. The interactions between calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and the two derivatives, 3,8-dibenzoylamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenantridinium cloride (E2) and 3,8-diphenylacetylamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenantridinium chloride (E3), were investigated by fluorescence quenching spectra and UV-vis absorption spectra. The Stern-Volmer quenching constants, binding constants, binding sites and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG were calculated at different temperatures. The results indicated the formation of E2 and E3-DNA complexes and van der Waals interactions as the predominant intermolecular forces in stabilizing for each complex. In addition, increasing nucleophilicity of the functional groups at 3- and 8- positions exhibited the respectable increment the DNA binding affinities of derivatives. The results of absorption, ionic strength and iodide ion quenching suggested that the interaction mode of E2 and E3 with ct-DNA was intercalative binding. The limit of detection (LOD) of ct-DNA were 7.49 x 10(-8) (n = 4) and 4.18 x 10(-8) mol/l (n = 7) in presence of E2 and E3, respectively.

Fluorescence enhancement effect for the determination of DNA with calcein-cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide system

A new spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of DNA using the calcein as a fluorescent probe. In the presence of appropriate amounts of the cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), the anionic dye calcein dimerizes. The weak fluorescence intensity of the dimer was enhanced by adding DNA at pH 6-7. The interaction between calcein-CTAB and DNA was studied on the basis of this behavior and a new method was developed for determining DNA. Under the optimal conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of DNA in the range of 4.0x10(-6) to 8.0x10(-5) g L(-1) for fsDNA and thermally denatured ctDNA (4.5x10(-6) to 9.0x10(-5) g L(-1)). The detection limits (S/N=3) were 2.0x10(-6) and 2.2x10(-6) g L(-1), respectively. This method was used for determining the concentration of DNA in synthetic samples with satisfactory results.

Study of interactions of anthraquinones with DNA using ethidium bromide as a fluorescence probe

The interactions of fish sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with anthraquinones, such as chrysophanol, physcion and 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone, were investigated by using ethidium bromide (EB) as fluorescence probe. The binding constants of anthraquinones and DNA were obtained by the fluorescence quenching technique. Further, the binding mechanisms on the reaction of the three anthraquinones with DNA and effect of ionic strength on the fluorescence property of the system have also been investigated. The results of the assay indicate that the binding modes of chrysophanol, physcion and 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone with DNA were evaluated to be groove binding. And the binding constants of chrysophanol, physcion and 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone with DNA-EB complex were 1.64x10(4), 3.04x10(4) and 2.88x10(5) l mol(-1), respectively.

Synchronous fluorescence determination of DNA based on the interaction between methylene blue and DNA

The fluorescence intensity of methylene blue (MB) quenched by DNA in the pH range of 6.5-8.0 was studied with synchronous fluorescence technology. A novel method for detecting single-stranded and double-stranded DNA was developed. The decreased fluorescence intensity at 664 nm is in proportion to the concentration of DNA in the range of 0.28-11.0 micromol L(-1) for ctDNA, 0.14-8.25 micromol L(-1) for thermally denatured ctDNA and 0.28-8.25 micromol L(-1) for hsDNA. The detection limits (S/N=3) are 0.11, 0.04 and 0.04 micromol L(-1), respectively. The method is rapid, selective, and the reagents are lower toxic. It has been used for the determination of DNA in synthetic samples with good satisfaction. In addition, the interaction modes between MB and ctDNA and the mechanism of the fluorescence quenching were also discussed in detail. The experimental results from absorption spectra and fluorescence polarization indicate that the possible interaction modes between MB and DNA are the electrostatic binding and the intercalation binding.

High sensitive fluorophotometric determination of nucleic acids with Pyronine G sensitized by N,N-dimethylformamide

In Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.0), the fluorescence of Pyronine G emitted at 552 nm was quenched by nucleic acids when excited at 525 nm. Adding N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a sensitive media can enhance the sensitivity greatly. Based on the fluorescence reactions sensitive fluorimetric methods for nucleic acids at nanogram levels were proposed. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.0032 - 2.5 microg mL(-1) for ct DNA and 0.0024 - 2.5 microg mL(-1) for hs DNA. The limits of determination were 3.2 ng mL(-1) and 2.4 ng mL(-1) respectively. This method has good selectivity and high sensitivity. It has been applied to the determination of DNA in the synthetic samples and real samples with satisfactory results.

The sensitive determination of nucleic acids using a fluorescence-quenching method

Experiments indicated that nucleic acids can quench the fluorescence of the Eu3+ -2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA)-1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) system. Based on this, a sensitive method for the determination of nucleic acids was proposed. The experiments indicated that under the optimum conditions, the quenched fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 1.0 x 10(-11)-1.0 x 10(-6) g/mL for yeast RNA (yRNA), 5.0 x 10(-11)-5.0 x 10(-7) g/mL for fish sperm (fsDNA) and 1.0 x 10(-10)-1.5 x 10(-6) g/mL for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA). Their detection limits were 3.0 x 10(-12), 4.0 x 10(-12) and 5.0 x 10(-11) g/mL, respectively. Therefore, the proposed method is one of the most sensitive methods available. The interaction between nucleic acids and Eu3+ -TTA-Phen is also discussed.

A novel spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of DNA

A new simple, selective and sensitive fluorescence quenching method was developed to determine nucleic acids (DNA) with the 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (ACA)-cetyl trimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) system. The fluorescence intensity of ACA was decreased by the addition (CTAB). However, the fluorescence intensity of the system increased dramatically when DNA was added to the solution. The fluorescence enhancement is probably based on the DNA interaction with CTAB. Under the optimum conditions, the changes of fluorescence intensity in the absence and presence of nucleic acids was proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids over the range 0.08-1.0 microg mL(-1) for CT (calf thymus) DNA or FS (fish sperm) DNA. Its detection limits are 0.02 microg mL(-1) for CT DNA and 0.019 microg mL(-1) for FS DNA. Based on this approach, a new quantitative method for DNA assay is presented in this paper.

Study on the interaction between nucleic acid and Eu3+-oxolinic acid and the determination of nucleic acid using the resonance light scattering technique

At pH 9.75, the resonance light scattering (RLS) intensity of OA-Eu3+ system is greatly enhanced by nucleic acid. Based on this phenomenon, a new quantitative method for nucleic acid in aqueous solution has been developed. Under the optimum condition, the enhanced RLS is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acid in the range of 1.0x10(-9) to 1.0x10(-6)g/ml for herring sperm DNA, 8.0x10(-10) to 1.0x10(-6) g/ml for calf thymus DNA and 1.0x10(-9) to 1.0x10(-6) g/ml for yeast RNA, and their detection limits are 0.020, 0.011 and 0.010 ng/ml, respectively. Synthetic samples and actual samples were satisfactorily determined. In addition, the interaction mechanism between nucleic acid and OA-Eu3+ is also investigated.

Fluorescence determination of DNA with 1-pyrenebutyric acid nanoparticles coated with beta-cyclodextrin as a fluorescence probe

A novel ultrasonication method has been successfully developed for the preparation of 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBAC)/beta-cyclodextrin(beta-CD) complex nanoparticles. The as-prepared nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence excitation and emission spectroscopy. Complex nanoparticles prepared with ultrasonication are smaller and better dispersed than single PBAC nanoparticles. At pH 3.0, the relative fluorescence intensity of complex nanoparticles of PBAC/beta-CD can be quenched by the concentration of DNA. Based on this, a novel fluorimetric method has been developed for rapid determination of DNA. In comparison with single organic fluorophores, these nanoparticle probes are better water-solubility, more stable and do not suffer from blinking. Under optimum conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.2-15 microg mL(-1) for calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and 0.3-12 microg mL(-1) for fish sperm DNA (fs-DNA). The corresponding detection limit is 0.01 microg mL(-1) for ct-DNA and 0.02 microg mL(-1) for fs-DNA. The relative standard deviation of seven replicate measurements is 1.2% for 2.0 microg mL(-1) ct-DNA and 1.4% for 2.0 microg mL(-1) fs-DNA, respectively. The method is simple and sensitive. The recovery and relative standard deviation are very satisfactory. A mechanism proposed to explain the process also has been studied.

Determination of nucleic acids at nanogram level using resonance light scattering technique with Congo Red

Based on the enhancement of the resonance light scattering (RLS) of Congo Red (CR) by nucleic acid, a new quantitative method for nucleic acid is developed. In the Tris-HCl buffer (pH 10.5), the weak light scattering of CR is greatly enhanced by addition of nucleic acid and CTMAB, the maximum peak is at 560 nm and the enhanced intensity of RLS is in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acid. The linear range is 1.0 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) g ml(-1), 7.5 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-6) g ml(-1) and 7.5 x 10(-8) to 2.5 x 10(-6) g ml(-1) for herring sperm DNA, calf thymus DNA and yeast RNA, and the detection limits are 0.019, 0.89 and 1.2 ng ml(-1) (S/N = 3), respectively. Actual biological samples were satisfactorily determined.