Preparation and application of cysteine-capped ZnS nanoparticles as fluorescence probe in the determination of nucleic acids

Cysteine-capped ZnS nanometer-sized fluorescent particles were produced by a colloidal aqueous synthesis. The functionalized nanoparticles are water-soluble and suitable for biological application. A synchronous fluorescence method has been developed for the rapid determination of DNA with functionalized nano-ZnS as a fluorescence probe, based on the synchronous fluorescence enhancement of cysteine-capped nano-ZnS in the presence of DNA. When Deltalambda =190 nm, maximum synchronous fluorescence is produced at 267 nm at pH 5.12. Under optimum conditions, the synchronous fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 0.1-1.2 microg ml(-1) for calf thymus DNA, 0.1-0.6 microg ml(-1) for fish sperm DNA. The corresponding detection limit is 32.9 ng ml(-1) for calf thymus DNA and 24.6 ng ml(-1) for fish sperm DNA. This method is simple, inexpensive, rapid and sensitive. The recovery and relative standard deviation are satisfactory.     

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.     

Fluorescence enhancement method for the determination of nucleic acids using cationic cyanine as a fluorescence probe

A fluorescence enhancement method with a cationic cyanine as a probe was developed for the determination of nucleic acids. Under the experimental conditions, the fluorescence enhancement of cyanine (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)= 524/591.5 nm) was observed in the presence of DNA. The calibration graphs were linear over the range of 0.01-15 microg mL(-1) for both calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and fish sperm DNA (FS DNA). The limits of detection were 0.005 and 0.007 microg mL(-1) for CT DNA and FS DNA, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of DNA in synthetic and real samples and satisfactory results were obtained. A possible fluorescence enhancement mechanism was also studied.     

Cationic cyanine as a near-infrared fluorescent probe for the determination of nucleic acids

A new method with a cationic near-IR cyanine as fluorescent probe was developed for the determination of nucleic acids. The near-IR cyanine shows maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 765 and 790 nm, respectively, in aqueous solution. The method is based on the fluorescence decrease of near-IR cyanine in the presence of nucleic acids. Under optimal conditions, the ratio of fluorescence intensity in the absence and presence of nucleic acids was proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids over the range 0.10-1.2 microg/mL for CT (calf thymus) DNA or SM (salmon sperm) DNA, and 0.10-1.6 microg/mL for yeast RNA. The detection limits were 30 ng/mL for CT DNA, 25 ng/mL for SM DNA and 70 ng/mL for yeast RNA. The relative standard deviation (n = 6) was 2.1% for 500 ng/mL CT DNA, 2.4% for 500 ng/mL SM DNA and 2.7% for 500 ng/mL yeast RNA, respectively.     

Determination of nucleic acids by near-infrared fluorescence quenching of hydrophobic thiacyanine dye in the presence of Triton X-100.

A near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescence quenching method was developed for the determination of nucleic acids in aqueous solution by using a cationic heptamethylene thiacyanine as a probe. The near-IR cationic cyanine showed maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 800 and 825 nm, respectively, in the presence of Triton X-100; the fluorescence of the cyanine could be greatly quenched by DNA. The calibration graphs were linear over the range of 10-400 ng/mL for CT (calf thymus) DNA and over the range 5-400 ng/mL for FS (fish sperm) DNA under optimal conditions. The corresponding detection limits were 5.2 ng/mL for CT DNA and 2.5 ng/mL for FS DNA. The relative standard deviation (n = 8) was 3.1% for 75 ng/mL CT DNA and 2.2% for 75 ng/mL FS DNA, respectively. Preliminary research showed that the fluorescence quenching might be ascribed to the formation of dye aggregate facilitated by DNA.     

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.     

Determination of nucleic acids based on shifting the association equilibrium between tetracarboxy aluminum phthalocyanine and poly-lysine

A new method based on near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescence recovery was presented for the determination of nucleic acids. This method employed a two-reagent system composed of anionic tetracarboxy aluminum phthalocyanine (AlC4Pc) and polycationic poly-lysine. The fluorescence of AlC4Pc, with the maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 620 and 701 nm, respectively, was quenched by poly-lysine with a proper concentration, but recovered by adding nucleic acids. Under optimal conditions, the recovered fluorescence was in proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids. The linear ranges of the calibration curves were 5-200 ng mL(-1) for both calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) with the detection limit of 2.6 ng mL(-1) for ctDNA and 2.1 ng mL(-1) for fsDNA. The relative standard deviation (n = 6) was 1.9 and 1.3% for 50 ng mL(-1) ctDNA and fsDNA, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of nucleic acids in synthetic samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of nucleic acids using calcein-neodymium complex as a fluorescence probe.

A novel fluorometric method has been developed for rapid determination of DNA and RNA with calcein-neodymium complex as a fluorescence probe. The method is based on the fluorescence enhancement of calcein-Nd(III) complex in the presence of DNA or RNA, with maximum excitation and emission wavelength at 489 nm and 514 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.5 - 3.0 microg/ml for both DNA and yeast RNA, 0.4 - 2.0 microg/ml for fish sperm DNA (FS DNA) and 0 - 3.0 microg/ml for calf thymus DNA (CT DNA). The corresponding detection limits are 15.1 ng/ml for DNA, 21.2 ng/ml for yeast RNA, 10.5 ng/ml for FS DNA and 8.9 ng/ml for CT DNA. The interaction mechanism for the binding of calcein-Nd(III) complex to DNA is also studied. The results of absorption spectra, fluorescence polarization measurements and thermal denaturation experiments, suggested that the interaction between calcein-Nd(III) complex and DNA is an electrostatic interaction.     

Preparation and application of L-cysteine-modified CdSe/CdS core/shell nanocrystals as a novel fluorescence probe for detection of nucleic acid

The water-soluble L-cysteine-modified CdSe/CdS core/shell nanocrystals (expressed as CdSe/CdS/Cys nanocrystals) have been synthesized in aqueous by using L-cysteine as stabilizer. The size, shape, component and spectral property of CdSe/CdS/Cys nanocrystals were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX), infrared spectrum (IR) and photoluminescence (PL). The results showed that the spherical CdSe/CdS/Cys nanocrystals with an average diameter of 2.3 nm have favorable fluorescent property, theirs photostability and fluorescence intensity are enhanced greatly after overcoating with CdS. The cysteine modified on the surface of core/shell CdSe/CdS nanocrystals renders the nanocrystals water-soluble and biocompatible. Based on the fluorescence quenching of the nanocrystals in the presence of calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA), a fluorescence quenching method has been developed for the determination of ct-DNA by using the nanocrystals as a novel fluorescence probe. The pH value of the system was selected at pH 7.4, with excitation and emission wavelength at 380 and 522 nm, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the fluorescence quenching intensity of the system is linear with the concentration of ct-DNA in the range of 0.1-3.5 microg/mL (r=0.9987). The detection limit is 0.06 microg/mL. And two synthetic samples were analyzed satisfactorily.     

Application of aluminium(III) complex with salicylidene-o-aminophenol to the fluorometric determination of nucleic acids

In buffer medium of hexamethylene tetraamine-HCl at pH 5.9 the aluminium(III) complex with salicylidene-o-aminophenol (SAP) has a fluorescence peak at 508 nm with excitation at 410 nm. When nucleic acid coexists, it reacts with the complex within 8 min at room temperature to produce a non-fluorescent product, resulting in the decrease of fluorescence intensity of the aluminium complex. On basis of this, a new fluorometric method for nucleic acids determination is proposed. The calibration graphs for calf thymus DNA, fish sperm DNA and yeast RNA are linear up to 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 microg ml(-1), respectively, and corresponding detection limits are 49, 52 and 62 ng ml(-1). The synthetic samples are analyzed with relative standard deviation of five measurements of 3.9-6.0%. DNA in an extraction product from human blood is determined using the calibration graph for calf thymus DNA, and the result is very close to that by the ethidium bromide assay. Compared with some established fluorometric methods, this procedure is sensitive, selective, reliable, reproducible and practical. The association constant of calf thymus DNA with the complex is estimated by two graphic methods. It is suggested that the binding reaction between nucleic acids with the complex proceeds in an intercalation way.     

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide sensitized resonance light-scattering of nucleic acid--Pyronine B and its analytical application

This is the first report on the determination of nucleic acids with Pyronine B (PB) sensitized by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) with resonance light-scattering (RLS) technique. Under the experimental conditions (1 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) PB, 1 x 10(-5) mol l(-1) CTMAB, pH 7.4, at room temperature, ionic strength 0.02 mol l(-1) NaCl), the interaction of PB with DNA sensitized by CTMAB results in enhanced RLS signals at 328 and 377 nm in the enhanced regions. It was found that the enhanced RLS intensity at 328 nm was proportional to the concentration of DNA in the suitable ranges. The linear range of this assay is 0.0-1.2 microg ml(-1) for calf thymus, 0.0-0.8 microg ml(-1) for fish sperm DNA (fsDNA), and 0.04-1.4 microg ml(-1) for yeast RNA, respectively. The detection limits (3 sigma) are 6.1 ng ml(-1) for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA), 11.2 ng ml(-1) for fish sperm DNA, and 8.6 ng ml(-1) for yeast RNA, respectively. Six synthetic samples were determined satisfactorily. This method is simple, rapid and the dye is inexpensive and stable.     

Determination of nucleic acids with tetra-(N-hexadecylpyridiniumyl) porphyrin sensitized by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) using a Rayleigh light-scattering technique

Using a common spectrofluorometer to measure the intensity of Rayleigh light-scattering (RLS), a method for determination of nucleic acids has been developed. At pH 10.24 and ionic strength 0.01 mol l-1 (NaCl), the Rayleigh light-scattering of the tetra-(N-hexadecylpyridiniumyl) porphyrin (TC16PyP) is greatly enhanced by nucleic acids in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB), with the scattering peak located at 311.8 nm. The enhanced RLS intensity is in proportion to the concentration of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) in the range 0.2-6.0 microg ml-1 and to that of fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) in the range 0.05-3.0microg ml-1. The limits of detection are 0.016 microg ml-1 for calf thymus DNA and 0.023 microg ml-1 for fish sperm DNA when the concentration of TPP was chosen 2.0 x 10(-6) mol l-1. Four synthetic samples were determined satisfactorily.     

Fluorescent Complexes of Nucleic Acids/8-Hydroxyquinoline/Lanthanum(III) and the Fluorometry of Nucleic Acids

Abstract

The ternary fluorescent complexes of nucleic acids/8-hydroxyquinoline/ lanthanum (III) were studied. Nucleic acids in the study involve natured and thermally denatured calf thymus DNA, fish sperm DNA and yeast RNA. In the range of pH 8.0–8.4 (controlled by NH₃-NH₄Cl buffer) ternary fluorescent complexes are formed which emit at 485.0 nm for calf thymus DNA and at 480.0 nm for yeast RNA (when excited at 267.0 nm) and emits at 483.0 nm for fish sperm DNA when excited at 265.0 nm. Based on the fluorescence reactions sensitive fluorometric methods for nucleic acids were proposed. Using optimal conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.4–3.6 μg˙ml^?1 for calf thymus DNA, 0.4–4.0 μg-ml^?1 for fish sperm DNA and 0.4–4.0 μg˙ml^?1 for yeast RNA, respectively. The limits of determination (3σ) were 0.076 μg˙ml^?1 for calf thymus DNA, 0.068 μg˙ml^?1 for fish sperm DNA and 0.329 μg˙ml^?1 for yeast RNA, respectively. Five synthetic samples were determined with satisfaction.

     

Application of magdala red as a fluorescence probe in the determination of nucleic acids

A fluorescence quenching method was developed for the rapid determination of DNA and RNA using magdala red as fluorescence probe. In weakly acidic medium, the fluorescence of magdala red (lambdaex/lambdaem = 540/555 nm) can be largely quenched by DNA or RNA. The calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.01-1.2 microg/mL for both calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and salmon DNA (SM DNA), and 0.015-1.0 microg/mL for yeast RNA, respectively. The corresponding detection limits are 6.0 ng/mL for CT DNA, 7.0 ng/mL for SM DNA and 15.0 ng/mL for yeast RNA, respectively. CT DNA could be determined in the presence of 20% (w/w) yeast RNA, and the relative standard deviation of six replicate measurements is 3.18% for 400 ng/mL of CT DNA. Interference from coexisting substances in the determination of DNA was also examined. Real samples were determined with satisfactory results.     

Determination of DNA by Use of the Molecular “Light Switch” Complex of Ru(bipy)2(dppz)2+

 A novel fluorimetric method has been developed for selective determination of DNA with the molecular “Light Switch” complex of Ru(bipy)₂(dppz)²⁺. The maximum fluorescence intensity was produced in the pH range of 9.3–11.5, with the maximum excitation and emission wavelength of 471.8 nm and 599.8 nm, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of DNA. The linear range for calf thymus DNA salmon sperm DNA and herring sperm DNA reaches from the limit of determination to 1.5 μg/mL. The limits of determination for calf thymus DNA salmon sperm DNA and herring sperm DNA are 3.3 ng/mL, 2.8 ng/mL and 4.4 ng/mL, respectively. When the proposed method was used to determine DNA in the presence of some coexisting substances, a satisfactory result was obtained. Received December 29, 1998. Revision June 28, 1999.     

Synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe and investigation on its interaction with nucleic acid and analytical application

A novel fluorescent probe N-(N-(2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl)-4-acridinecarboxamide)-alpha-alanine (N-(N-(ME)-4-ACA)-alpha-ALA) was synthesized. The structure was characterized by 1H NMR, MS, elemental analysis, fluorescent and ultraviolet spectra. This new compound exhibited high binding affinity to DNA, intense fluorescence and high water solubility. Experiment indicated that the fluorescent intensity was quenched when DNA was added. A method for DNA determination based on the quenching fluorescence (lambda(ex)=258nm, lambda(em)=451nm) of N-(N-(ME)-4-ACA)-alpha-ALA was established. Under optimal conditions (pH 7.2, CN-(N-(ME)-4-ACA)-alpha-ALA)=3 x 10(-6) mol L(-1)), the linear range is 0.1-4.0 microg mL(-1) for both fish semen (fsDNA) and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). The corresponding determination limits are 4.6 ng mL(-1) for fsDNA and 5.1 ng mL(-1) for ct-DNA, respectively. The relative standard deviation is 1.0%. Thus this compound can be used as a DNA fluorescent probe. The experiments proved that the interaction mode between N-(N-(ME)-4-ACA)-alpha-ALA and DNA was groove binding. The modified Rosenthal's graphical method gave the binding constant of 1.0 x 10(6) L mol(-1) and a binding size of 0.31 base pairs per bound drug molecule.     

Sensitive determination of nucleic acids using organic nanoparticle fluorescence probes

This paper describes the preparation of organic nanoparticles by reprecipitation method under sonication and vigorous stirring. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the size and size distribution of the luminescent nanoparticles. Their average diameter was about 25 nm with a size variation of +/-18%. The fluorescence decay lifetime of the nanoparticles also was determined on a self-equipped fluorospectrometer with laser light source. The lifetime (approximately 0.09 micros) of nanoparticles is about three times long as that of the monomer. The nanoparticles were in abundant of hydrophilic groups, which increased their miscibility in aqueous solution. These organic nanoparticles have high photochemical stability, excellent resistance to chemical degradation and photodegradation, and a good fluorescence quantum yield (25%). The fluorescence can be efficiently quenched by nucleic acids. Based on the fluorescence quenching of nanoparticles, a fluorescence quenching method was developed for determination of microamounts of nucleic acids by using the nanoparticles as a new fluorescent probe. Under optimal conditions, maximum fluorescence quenching is produced, with maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of 345 and 402 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the calibration graphs are linear over the range 0.4-19.0 microgml(-1) for calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and 0.3-19.0 microgml(-1) for fish sperm DNA (fs-DNA). The corresponding detection limits are 0.25 microgml(-1) for ct-DNA and 0.17 microgml(-1) for fs-DNA. The relative standard deviation of six replicate measurements is 1.3-2.1%. The method is simple, rapid and sensitive with wide linear range. The recovery and relative standard deviation are very satisfactory.     

Synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe based on acridine skeleton used for sensitive determination of DNA

In this study, a novel fluorescent probe of acridine derivative N-((N-(2-dimethylamino)ethyl)acridine-4-carboxamide)-alpha-alanine (N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA) was synthesized. The structure of the new compound was characterized by (1)H NMR, MS, elemental analysis, fluorescent and ultraviolet spectra. It was found that DNA had the ability to quench the fluorescence of N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA, and the quenched intensity of fluorescence was proportional to the concentration of DNA. A method for DNA determination based on the quenching fluorescence (lambda(ex) = 260 nm, lambda(em) = 451 nm) of N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA was established. Under optimal conditions, the linear range is 0.05-2.0 microg mL(-1) for both fish semen (fsDNA) and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA). The corresponding determination limits are 9.1 ng mL(-1) for fsDNA and 8.7 ng mL(-1) for ctDNA, respectively. The results suggested that the interaction mode between N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA and DNA was intercalative binding. The intrinsic binding constant was determined and the result showed a large binding constant of N-(ACR-4-CA)-alpha-ALA with DNA.     

Cationic cyanine as a near-infrared fluorescent probe for the determination of nucleic acids

A new method with a cationic near-IR cyanine as fluorescent probe was developed for the determination of nucleic acids. The near-IR cyanine shows maximum excitation and emission wavelengths at 765 and 790 nm, respectively, in aqueous solution. The method is based on the fluorescence decrease of near-IR cyanine in the presence of nucleic acids. Under optimal conditions, the ratio of fluorescence intensity in the absence and presence of nucleic acids was proportional to the concentration of ¶nucleic acids over the range 0.10–1.2 μg/mL for CT (calf thymus) DNA or SM (salmon sperm) DNA, and 0.10–¶1.6 μg/mL for yeast RNA. The detection limits were ¶30 ng/mL for CT DNA, 25 ng/mL for SM DNA and ¶70 ng/mL for yeast RNA. The relative standard deviation (n = 6) was 2.1% for 500 ng/mL CT DNA, 2.4% for ¶500 ng/mL SM DNA and 2.7% for 500 ng/mL yeast RNA, respectively.     

Nephelometric determination of micro amounts of nucleic acids with protamine sulfate

Nucleic acids can form large particle complexes with protamine sulfate by electrostatic forces, which results in strong light scattering. Based on this, a nephelometric method is described for sensitive and convenient determination of nucleic acids with protamine sulfate by using a common spectrofluorimeter. Maximum light scattering is produced in the range of pH 2.2-4.4 with the same excitation and emission wavelengths at 365 nm. Under optimal conditions, the calibration curves are linear in the range 0.05-60.0 micrograms cm-3 for nucleic acids. The corresponding detection limits are 12.5 ng cm-3 for calf thymus DNA, 9.0 ng cm-3 for fish sperm DNA, and 18.0 ng cm-3 for yeast RNA, respectively. Six synthetic samples are determined with satisfactory results. The relative standard deviation of five replicate measurements is 3.2% for 2.0 micrograms cm-3 calf thymus DNA.