Heavy atom containing fluorescent ribonucleoside analog probe for the fluorescence detection of RNA-ligand binding

Enzymatic synthesis of reactive RNA probes containing squaramate-linked cytidine or adenosine for bioconjugations and cross-linking with lysine-containing peptides and proteins

Protein-RNA interactions play important biological roles and hence reactive RNA probes for cross-linking with proteins are important tools in their identification and study. To this end, we designed and synthesized 5'-O-triphosphates bearing a reactive squaramate group attached to position 5 of cytidine or position 7 of 7-deazaadenosine and used them as substrates for polymerase synthesis of modified RNA. In vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase or primer extension using TGK polymerase was used for synthesis of squaramate-modified RNA probes which underwent covalent bioconjugations with amine-linked fluorophore and lysine-containing peptides and proteins including several viral RNA polymerases or HIV reverse transcriptase. Inhibition of RNA-depending RNA polymerases from Japanese Encephalitis virus was observed through formation of covalent cross-link which was partially identified by MS/MS analysis. Thus, the squaramate-linked NTP analogs are useful building blocks for the synthesis of reactive RNA probes for bioconjugations with primary amines and cross-linking with lysine residues.

Enzymatic Functionalization of RNA Oligonucleotides by Terminal Uridylyl Transferase Using Fluorescent and Clickable Nucleotide Analogs

We report a systematic study on controlling the enzyme activity of a terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) called SpCID1, which provides methods to effect site-specific incorporation of a single modified nucleotide analog at the 3'-end of an RNA oligonucleotide (ON). Responsive heterocycle-modified fluorescent UTP probes that are useful in analyzing non-canonical nucleic acid structures and azide- and alkyne-modified UTP analogs that are compatible for chemoenzymatic functionalization were used as study systems. In the first strategy, we balanced the concentration of essential metal ion cofactors (Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions) to restrict the processivity of the enzyme, which gave a very good control on the incorporation of clickable nucleotide analogs. In the second approach, borate that complexes with 2' and 3' oxygen atoms of a ribose sugar was used as a reversibly binding chelator to block repeated addition of nucleotide analogs. Notably, in the presence of heterocycle-modified fluorescent UTPs, we obtained single-nucleotide incorporated RNA products in reasonable yields, while with clickable nucleotides yields were very good. Further, 3'-end azide- and alkyne-labeled RNA ONs were post-enzymatically functionalized by CuAAC and SPAAC reactions with fluorescent probes. These strategies broaden the scope of TUTase in site-specifically installing modifications of different types onto RNA for various applications.

Synthesis and Enzymatic Incorporation of a Dual-App Nucleotide Probe That Reports Antibiotics-Induced Conformational Change in the Bacterial Ribosomal Decoding Site RNA

Natural nucleosides are nonfluorescent and do not have intrinsic labels that can be readily utilized for analyzing nucleic acid structure and recognition. In this regard, researchers typically use the so-called "one-label, one-technique" approach to study nucleic acids. However, we envisioned that a responsive dual-app nucleoside system that harnesses the power of two complementing biophysical techniques namely, fluorescence and 19F NMR, will allow the investigation of nucleic acid conformations more comprehensively than before. We recently introduced a nucleoside analogue by tagging trifluoromethyl-benzofuran at the C5 position of 2'-deoxyuridine, which serves as an excellent fluorescent and 19F NMR probe to study G-quadruplex and i-motif structures. Taking forward, here, we report the development of a ribonucleotide version of the dual-app probe to monitor antibiotics-induced conformational changes in RNA. The ribonucleotide analog is derived by conjugating trifluoromethyl-benzofuran at the C5 position of uridine (TFBF-UTP). The analog is efficiently incorporated by T7 RNA polymerase to produce functionalized RNA transcripts. Detailed photophysical and 19F NMR of the nucleoside and nucleotide incorporated into RNA oligonucleotides revealed that the analog is structurally minimally invasive and can be used for probing RNA conformations by fluorescence and 19F NMR techniques. Using the probe, we monitored and estimated aminoglycoside antibiotics binding to the bacterial ribosomal decoding site RNA (A-site, a very important RNA target). While 2-aminopurine, a famous fluorescent nucleic acid probe, fails to detect structurally similar aminoglycoside antibiotics binding to the A-site, our probe reports the binding of different aminoglycosides to the A-site. Taken together, our results demonstrate that TFBF-UTP is a very useful addition to the nucleic acid analysis toolbox and could be used to devise discovery platforms to identify new RNA binders of therapeutic potential.

Chloroacetamide-Modified Nucleotide and RNA for Bioconjugations and Cross-Linking with RNA-Binding Proteins

Reactive RNA probes are useful for studying and identifying RNA-binding proteins. To that end, we designed and synthesized chloroacetamide-linked 7-deaza-ATP which was a good substrate for T7 RNA polymerase in in vitro transcription assay to synthesize reactive RNA probes bearing one or several reactive modifications. Modified RNA probes reacted with thiol-containing molecules as well as with cysteine- or histidine-containing peptides to form stable covalent products. They also reacted selectively with RNA-binding proteins to form cross-linked conjugates in high conversions thanks to proximity effect. Our modified nucleotide and RNA probes are promising tools for applications in RNA (bio)conjugations or RNA proteomics.

Environment-Sensitive Nucleoside Probe Unravels the Complex Structural Dynamics of i-Motif DNAs

Although evidence for the existence and biological role of i-motif (iM) DNA structures in cells is emerging, probing their structural polymorphism and identifying physiologically active conformations using currently available tools remain a major challenge. Here, we describe the development of an innovative device to investigate the conformation equilibrium of different iMs formed by C-rich telomeric repeat and oncogenic B-raf promoter sequences using a new conformation-sensitive dual-purpose nucleoside probe. The nucleoside is composed of a trifluoromethyl-benzofuran-2-yl moiety at the C5 position of 2'-deoxyuridine, which functions as a responsive fluorescent and ¹⁹F NMR probe. While the fluorescent component is useful in monitoring and estimating the folding process, the ¹⁹F label provides spectral signatures for various iMs, thereby enabling a systematic analysis of their complex population equilibrium under different conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, metal ions, and cell lysate). Distinct ¹⁹F signals exhibited by the iMs formed by the human telomeric repeat helped in calculating their relative population. A battery of fluorescence and ¹⁹F NMR studies using native and mutated B-raf oligonucleotides gave valuable insights into the iM structure landscape and its dependence on environmental conditions and also helped in predicting the structure of the major iM conformation. Overall, our findings indicate that the probe is highly suitable for studying complex nucleic acid systems.

Incorporation and Utility of a Responsive Ribonucleoside Analogue in Probing the Conformation of a Viral RNA Motif by Fluorescence and 19 F NMR Spectroscopy

Development of versatile probes that can enable the study of different conformations and recognition properties of therapeutic nucleic acid motifs by complementing biophysical techniques can greatly aid nucleic acid analysis and therapy. Here, we report the design, synthesis and incorporation of an environment-sensitive ribonucleoside analogue, which serves as a two-channel biophysical platform to investigate RNA structure and recognition by fluorescence and ¹⁹ F NMR spectroscopy techniques. The nucleoside analogue is based on a 5-fluorobenzofuran-uracil core and its fluorescence and ¹⁹ F NMR chemical shifts are highly sensitive to changes in solvent polarity and viscosity. Notably, the modified ribonucleotide and phosphoramidite substrates can be efficiently incorporated into RNA oligonucleotides (ONs) by in vitro transcription and standard solid-phase ON synthesis protocol, respectively. Fluorescence and ¹⁹ F readouts of the nucleoside incorporated into model RNA ONs are sensitive to the neighbouring base environment. The responsiveness of the probe was aptly utilized in detecting and quantifying the metal ion-induced conformational change in an internal ribosome entry site RNA motif of hepatitis C virus, which is an important therapeutic target. Taken together, our probe is a good addition to the nucleic acid analysis toolbox with the advantage that it can be used to study nucleic acid conformation and recognition simultaneously by two biophysical techniques.

Heterocycle-modified 2'-Deoxyguanosine Nucleolipid Analogs Stabilize Guanosine Gels and Self-assemble to Form Green Fluorescent Gels

Nucleoside-lipid conjugates are very useful supramolecular building blocks to construct self-assembled architectures suited for biomedical and material applications. Such nucleoside derivatives can be further synthetically manipulated to endow additional functionalities that could augment the assembling process and impart interesting properties. Here, we report the design, synthesis and self-assembling process of multifunctional supramolecular nucleolipid synthons containing an environment-sensitive fluorescent guanine. The amphiphilic synthons are composed of an 8-(2-(benzofuran-2-yl)vinyl)-guanine core and alkyl chains attached to 3'-O and 5'-O-positions of 2'-deoxyguanosine. The 2-(benzofuran-2-yl)vinyl (BFV) moiety attached at the C8 position of the nucleobase adopted a syn conformation about the glycosidic bond, which facilitated the self-assembly process through the formation of a G-tetrad as the basic unit. While 3',5'-diacylated BFV-modified dG analog stabilized the guanosine hydrogel by hampering the crystallization process and imparted fluorescence, BFV-modified dGs containing longer alkyl chains formed a green fluorescent organogel, which transformed into a yellow fluorescent gel in the presence of a complementary non-fluorescent cytidine nucleolipid. The ability of the dG analog containing short alkyl chains to modulate the mechanical property of a gel, and interesting fluorescence properties and self-assembling behavior exhibited by the dG analogs containing long alkyl chains in response to heat and complementary base underscore the potential use of these new supramolecular synthons in material applications.

Fundamental photophysics of isomorphic and expanded fluorescent nucleoside analogues

Fluorescent nucleoside analogues (FNAs) are structurally diverse mimics of the natural essentially non-fluorescent nucleosides which have found numerous applications in probing the structure and dynamics of nucleic acids as well as their interactions with various biomolecules. In order to minimize disturbance in the labelled nucleic acid sequences, the FNA chromophoric groups should resemble the natural nucleobases in size and hydrogen-bonding patterns. Isomorphic and expanded FNAs are the two groups that best meet the criteria of non-perturbing fluorescent labels for DNA and RNA. Significant progress has been made over the past decades in understanding the fundamental photophysics that governs the spectroscopic and environmentally sensitive properties of these FNAs. Herein, we review recent advances in the spectroscopic and computational studies of selected isomorphic and expanded FNAs. We also show how this information can be used as a rational basis to design new FNAs, select appropriate sequences for optimal spectroscopic response and interpret fluorescence data in FNA applications.

Synthesis of DNA and RNA Oligonucleotides Containing a Dual-Purpose Selenium-Modified Fluorescent Nucleoside Probe

Development of efficient tools that would enable direct correlation of nucleic acid structure and recognition in solution and in solid state at atomic resolution is highly desired. In this context, we recently developed dual-purpose nucleoside probes made of a 5-selenophene-modified uracil core, which serves both as a conformation-sensitive fluorophore and as an X-ray crystallography phasing agent. In this article, we provide a detailed synthetic procedure to synthesize the phosphoramidites of 5-selenophene-modified 2'-deoxyuridine and 5-selenophene-modified uridine analogs. We also describe their site-specific incorporation into therapeutically relevant DNA and RNA oligonucleotide motifs by an automated solid support synthesis protocol. The dual-purpose and minimally invasive nature of the probes enables efficient analysis of the conformation and ligand binding abilities of bacterial decoding site RNA (A-site) and G-quadruplex structures of the human telomeric overhang in real time by fluorescence and in 3D by X-ray crystallography. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1: Synthesis of 5-selenophene-2'-deoxyuridine 2 and its phosphoramidite 5 Support Protocol 1: Synthesis of 2-(tri-n-butylstannyl) selenophene Support Protocol 2: Synthesis of 5'-O-DMT-protected 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine 3 Basic Protocol 2: Synthesis of 5-selenophene-modified uridine 7 and its phosphoramidite 11 Basic Protocol 3: Synthesis of DNA oligonucleotides containing 5-selenophene-modified 2'-deoxyuridine 2 Basic Protocol 4: Synthesis of an RNA oligonucleotide containing 5-selenophene-modified uridine 7.

Deciphering the Chemical Basis of Fluorescence of a Selenium-Labeled Uracil Probe when Bound at the Bacterial Ribosomal A-Site

We unveil in this work the main factors that govern the turn-on/off fluorescence of a Se-modified uracil probe at the ribosomal RNA A-site. Whereas the constraint into an "in-plane" conformation of the two rings of the fluorophore is the main driver for the observed turn-on fluorescence emission in the presence of the antibiotic paromomycin, the electrostatics of the environment plays a minor role during the emission process. Our computational strategy clearly indicates that, in the absence of paromomycin, the probe prefers conformations that show a dark S₁ electronic state with participation of nπ* electronic transition contributions between the selenium atom and the π-system of the uracil moiety.

A dual-app nucleoside probe reports G-quadruplex formation and ligand binding in the long terminal repeat of HIV-1 proviral genome

We have developed a dual-app nucleoside analog, 5-selenophene-modified 2'-deoxyuridine (^SedU), to probe the structure and ligand-binding properties of a G-rich segment present in the long terminal repeat (LTR) of the HIV-1 proviral DNA promoter region. The nucleoside probe is made of an environment-responsive fluorophore and X-ray crystallography phasing label (Se atom). ^SedU incorporated into LTR-IV sequence, fluorescently reports the formation of G-quadruplex (GQ) structure without affecting the native fold. Further, using the environment sensitivity of the probe, a fluorescence assay was designed to estimate the binding affinity of small molecule ligands to the GQ motif. An added feature of this probe system is that it would enable direct correlation of structure and recognition properties in solution and atomic level by using a combination of fluorescence and X-ray crystallography techniques.

Probing G-quadruplex topologies and recognition concurrently in real time and 3D using a dual-app nucleoside probe

Comprehensive understanding of structure and recognition properties of regulatory nucleic acid elements in real time and atomic level is highly important to devise efficient therapeutic strategies. Here, we report the establishment of an innovative biophysical platform using a dual-app nucleoside analog, which serves as a common probe to detect and correlate different GQ structures and ligand binding under equilibrium conditions and in 3D by fluorescence and X-ray crystallography techniques. The probe (SedU) is composed of a microenvironment-sensitive fluorophore and an excellent anomalous X-ray scatterer (Se), which is assembled by attaching a selenophene ring at 5-position of 2'-deoxyuridine. SedU incorporated into the loop region of human telomeric DNA repeat fluorescently distinguished subtle differences in GQ topologies and enabled quantify ligand binding to different topologies. Importantly, anomalous X-ray dispersion signal from Se could be used to determine the structure of GQs. As the probe is minimally perturbing, a direct comparison of fluorescence data and crystal structures provided structural insights on how the probe senses different GQ conformations without affecting the native fold. Taken together, our dual-app probe represents a new class of tool that opens up new experimental strategies to concurrently investigate nucleic acid structure and recognition in real time and 3D.

Synthesis and Enzymatic Incorporation of a Responsive Ribonucleoside Probe That Enables Quantitative Detection of Metallo-Base Pairs

Synthesis of a highly responsive fluorescent ribonucleoside analogue based on a 5-methoxybenzofuran uracil core, enzymatic incorporation of its triphosphate substrate into RNA transcripts, and its utility in the specific detection and estimation of Hg²⁺-ion-mediated metallo-base pair formation in DNA–RNA and RNA–RNA duplexes are described.

Vinyluridine as a Versatile Chemoselective Handle for the Post-transcriptional Chemical Functionalization of RNA

The development of modular and efficient methods to functionalize RNA with biophysical probes is very important in advancing the understanding of the structural and functional relevance of RNA in various cellular events. Herein, we demonstrate a two-step bioorthogonal chemical functionalization approach for the conjugation of multiple probes onto RNA transcripts using a 5-vinyl-modified uridine nucleotide analog (VUTP). VUTP, containing a structurally noninvasive and versatile chemoselective handle, was efficiently incorporated into RNA transcripts by in vitro transcription reactions. Furthermore, we show for the first time the use of a palladium-mediated oxidative Heck reaction in functionalizing RNA with fluorogenic probes by reacting vinyl-labeled RNA transcripts with appropriate boronic acid substrates. The vinyl label also permitted the post-transcriptional functionalization of RNA by a reagent-free inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction in the presence of tetrazine substrates. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the incorporation of VUTP provides newer possibilities for the modular functionalization of RNA with variety of reporters.

Structure of the Ribosomal RNA Decoding Site Containing a Selenium-Modified Responsive Fluorescent Ribonucleoside Probe

Comprehensive understanding of the structure–function relationship of RNA both in real time and at atomic level will have a profound impact in advancing our understanding of RNA functions in biology. Here, we describe the first example of a multifunctional nucleoside probe, containing a conformation‐sensitive fluorophore and an anomalous X‐ray diffraction label (5‐selenophene uracil), which enables the correlation of RNA conformation and recognition under equilibrium and in 3D. The probe incorporated into the bacterial ribosomal RNA decoding site, fluorescently reports antibiotic binding and provides diffraction information in determining the structure without distorting native RNA fold. Further, by comparing solution binding data and crystal structure, we gained insight on how the probe senses ligand‐induced conformational change in RNA. Taken together, our nucleoside probe represents a new class of biophysical tool that would complement available tools for functional RNA investigations.

Responsive Fluorescent PNA Analogue as a Tool for Detecting G-quadruplex Motifs of Oncogenes and Activity of Toxic Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins

Fluorescent oligomers that are resistant to enzymatic degradation and report their binding to target oligonucleotides (ONs) by changes in fluorescence properties are highly useful in developing nucleic-acid-based diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the synthesis and photophysical characterization of fluorescent peptide nucleic acid (PNA) building blocks made of microenvironment-sensitive 5-(benzofuran-2-yl)- and 5-(benzothiophen-2-yl)-uracil cores. The emissive monomers, when incorporated into PNA oligomers and hybridized to complementary ONs, are minimally perturbing and are highly sensitive to their neighboring base environment. In particular, benzothiophene-modified PNA reports the hybridization process with significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity, even when placed in the vicinity of guanine residues, which often quench fluorescence. This feature was used in the turn-on detection of G-quadruplex-forming promoter DNA sequences of human proto-oncogenes (c-myc and c-kit). Furthermore, the ability of benzothiophene-modified PNA oligomer to report the presence of an abasic site in RNA enabled us to develop a simple fluorescence hybridization assay to detect and estimate the depurination activity of ribosome-inactivating protein toxins. Our results demonstrate that this approach with responsive PNA probes will provide new opportunities to develop robust tools to study nucleic acids.

A clickable UTP analog for the posttranscriptional chemical labeling and imaging of RNA

The development of robust tools and practical RNA labeling strategies that would facilitate the biophysical analysis of RNA in both cell-free and cellular systems will have profound implications in the discovery of new RNA diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. In this context, we describe the development of a new alkyne-modified UTP analog, 5-(1,7-octadinyl)uridine triphosphate (ODUTP), which serves as an efficient substrate for the introduction of a clickable alkyne label into RNA transcripts by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase and mammalian cellular RNA polymerases. The ODU-labeled RNA is effectively used by reverse transcriptase to produce cDNA, a property which could be utilized in expanding the chemical space of a RNA library in the aptamer selection scheme. Further, the alkyne label on RNA provides a convenient tool for the posttranscriptional chemical functionalization with a variety of biophysical tags (fluorescent, affinity, amino acid and sugar) by using alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction. Importantly, the ability of endogenous RNA polymerases to specifically incorporate ODUTP into cellular RNA transcripts enabled the visualization of newly transcribing RNA in cells by microscopy using click reactions. In addition to a clickable alkyne group, ODU contains a Raman scattering label (internal disubstituted alkyne), which exhibits characteristic Raman shifts that fall in the Raman-silent region of cells. Our results indicate that an ODU label could potentially facilitate two-channel visualization of RNA in cells by using click chemistry and Raman spectroscopy. Taken together, ODU represents a multipurpose ribonucleoside tool, which is expected to provide new avenues to study RNA in cell-free and cellular systems.

Synthesis and Substrate Evaluation of (E)-5-[(3-Selenophene-2-Carboxamido)Prop-1-en-1-yl]-Uridine-5'-O-Triphosphate for RNA Polymerase

Design, synthesis and T7 RNA polymerase substrate evaluation of (E)-5-[(3-selenophene-2-carboxamido)prop-1-en-1-yl]-uridine-5'-O-triphosphate is reported. The title compound is shown to be a good substrate for RNA polymerase by RNA labeling through in vitro transcription. pTRI-plasmid DNA with β-actin gene sequence (∼300 base pairs) with T7 promoter was used as a template for the in vitro transcription. Transcribed product is characterized for incorporation by gel assay and for integrity, full length and size by bioanalyzer. The title compound will be very useful in biophysical techniques to obtain information on dynamics and recognition properties in real time as well as 3D structure of nucleic acids.

Polymerase synthesis of DNA labelled with benzylidene cyanoacetamide-based fluorescent molecular rotors: fluorescent light-up probes for DNA-binding proteins

Fluorescent molecular rotors are for the first time used as light-up probes for sensing of DNA–protein interaction.

Bodipy-labeled nucleoside triphosphates for polymerase synthesis of fluorescent DNA

New fluorescent nucleosides and nucleoside triphosphate (dNTPs) analogs bearing the F-Bodipy fluorophore linked through a short, flexible nonconjugate tether were synthesized. The Bodipy-labeled dNTPs were substrates for several DNA polymerases which incorporated them into DNA in primer extension, nicking enzyme amplification reaction, and polymerase chain reaction. The fluorescence of F-Bodipy is not quenched upon incorporation in DNA and can be detected both in solutions and on gels.

New environment-sensitive multichannel DNA fluorescent label for investigation of the protein-DNA interactions

Here, we report the study of a new multichannel DNA fluorescent base analogue 3-hydroxychromone (3HC) to evaluate its suitability as a fluorescent reporter probe of structural transitions during protein-DNA interactions and its comparison with the current commercially available 2-aminopurine (aPu), pyrrolocytosine (Cpy) and 1,3-diaza-2-oxophenoxazine (tCO). For this purpose, fluorescent base analogues were incorporated into DNA helix on the opposite or on the 5'-side of the damaged nucleoside 5,6-dihydrouridine (DHU), which is specifically recognized and removed by Endonuclease VIII. These fluorophores demonstrated different sensitivities to the DNA helix conformational changes. The highest sensitivity and the most detailed information about the conformational changes of DNA induced by protein binding and processing were obtained using the 3HC probe. The application of this new artificial fluorescent DNA base is a very useful tool for the studies of complex mechanisms of protein-DNA interactions. Using 3HC biosensor, the kinetic mechanism of Endonuclease VIII action was specified.

Synthesis, photophysical properties and incorporation of a highly emissive and environment-sensitive uridine analogue based on the Lucifer chromophore

The majority of fluorescent nucleoside analogues used in nucleic acid studies have excitation maxima in the UV region and show very low fluorescence within oligonucleotides (ONs); hence, they cannot be utilised with certain fluorescence methods and for cell-based analysis. Here, we describe the synthesis, photophysical properties and incorporation of a highly emissive and environment-sensitive uridine analogue, derived by attaching a Lucifer chromophore (1,8-naphthalimide core) at the 5-position of uracil. The emissive nucleoside displays excitation and emission maxima in the visible region and exhibits high quantum yield. Importantly, when incorporated into ON duplexes it retains appreciable fluorescence efficiency and is sensitive to the neighbouring base environment. Notably, the nucleoside signals the presence of purine repeats in ON duplexes with an enhancement in fluorescence intensity, a property rarely displayed by other nucleoside analogues.

Functionalized tricyclic cytosine analogues provide nucleoside fluorophores with improved photophysical properties and a range of solvent sensitivities

Tricyclic cytosines (tC and tC(O) frameworks) have emerged as a unique class of fluorescent nucleobase analogues that minimally perturb the structure of B-form DNA and that are not quenched in duplex nucleic acids. Systematic derivatization of these frameworks is a likely approach to improve on and diversify photophysical properties, but has not so far been examined. Synthetic methods were refined to improve on tolerance for electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups, resulting in a series of eight new, fluorescent cytidine analogues. Photophysical studies show that substitution of the framework results in a pattern of effects largely consistent across tC and tC(O) and provides nucleoside fluorophores that are brighter than either parent. Moreover, a range of solvent sensitivities is observed, offering promise that this family of probes can be extended to new applications that require reporting on the local environment.

Environment-responsive fluorescent nucleoside analogue probe for studying oligonucleotide dynamics in a model cell-like compartment

The majority of fluorescent nucleoside analogue probes that have been used in the in vitro study of nucleic acids are not suitable for cell-based biophysical assays because they exhibit excitation maxima in the UV region and low quantum yields within oligonucleotides. Therefore, we propose that the photophysical characterization of oligonucleotides labeled with a fluorescent nucleoside analogue in reverse micelles (RM), which are good biological membrane models and UV-transparent, could provide an alternative approach to studying the properties of nucleic acids in a cell-like confined environment. In this context, we describe the photophysical properties of an environment-sensitive fluorescent uridine analogue (1), based on the 5-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)pyrimidine core, in micelles and RM. The emissive nucleoside, which is polarity- and viscosity-sensitive, reports the environment of the surfactant assemblies via changes in its fluorescence properties. The nucleoside analogue, incorporated into an RNA oligonucleotide and hybridized to its complementary DNA and RNA oligonucleotides, exhibits a significantly higher fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and anisotropy in RM than in aqueous buffer, which is consistent with the environment of RM. Collectively, our results demonstrate that nucleoside 1 could be utilized as a fluorescent label to study the function of nucleic acids in a model cellular milieu.