An Isosteric and Fluorescent DNA Base Pair Consisting of 4‐aminophthalimide and 2,4‐diaminopyrimidine as C‐Nucleosides

A 13mer DNA duplex containing the artificial 4‐aminophthalimide:2,4‐diaminopyrimidine (4AP:DAP) base pair in the central position was characterized by optical and NMR spectroscopy. The fluorescence of 4AP in the duplex has a large Stokes shift of Δλ =124 nm and a quantum yield of Φ _F=24 %. The NMR structure shows that two interstrand hydrogen bonds are formed and confirms the artificial base pairing. In contrast, the 4‐N ,N ‐dimethylaminophthalimide moiety prefers the syn conformation in DNA. The fluorescence intensity of this chromophore in DNA is very low and the NMR structure shows no significant interaction with DAP. Primer‐extension experiments with DNA polymerases showed that not only is the 4AP C nucleotide incorporated at the desired position opposite DAP in the template, but also that the polymerase is able to progress past this position to give the full‐length product. The observed selectivity supports the NMR results.     

The Use of Solid‐Phase Supports for Derivatization in Chromatography and Spectroscopy

Abstract

Derivatization, or chemical modification of analytes, is often required for species that are only weakly detectable by common spectroscopic methods. Derivatization is most commonly performed in homogeneous solution or using phase‐transfer catalyzed reactions. However, the use of solid phase supports for performing the same reactions has a number of advantages. The sample can be “cleaned up” on the same phase, eliminating interfering matrix components or excess reagent. The process naturally concentrates the analyte, providing higher sensitivity, but also, under favorable circumstances, provides for more efficient reactions relative to solutions of the same original concentration. This review explores the uses to which such supports have been put, primarily in fluorescence derivatization for chromatographic applications. Some of the considerations in applying these techniques are described, and they are shown to be an extremely useful format for derivatization.     

Vinyl monomers bearing chromophore moieties and their polymers. II. Fluorescence and initiation behavior of N-(4-N′, N′-dimethylaminophenyl)maleimide and its polymer

A maleimide bearing electron-donating chromophore, N-(4-N′,N′-dimethylaminophenyl)-maleimide (DMAPMI) was synthesized from N, N-dimethylaminoaniline and maleic anhydride in the presence of acetic anhydride and sodium acetate. DMAPMI can be easily copolymerized with vinyl acetate (VAc). In addition, it can be easily homopolymerized by UV light irradiation or by using AIBN or BPO as an initiator. The fluorescence spectra of DMAPMI and its polymer or copolymer were recorded and compared at the same chromophore concentrations. It was observed that the fluorescence emission intensity of DMAPMI was much lower than those of its polymers. This may be due to the occurrence of intermolecular charge transfer interaction between the electron-donating dimethylaminophenyl moiety and acrylic electron-accepting carbon-carbon double bond in the monomer. The model compound, N-(4-N′, N′-dimethylaminophenyl)succinimide (DMAPSI), which has no carbon-carbon double bond, displayed the same fluorescence behavior as DMAPMI polymers. The fluorescence of DMAPMI polymers and DMAPSI can be quenched by electron-deficient compounds such as AN, TCNE, MMA, etc. All these results supported the above conclusion. This is another example of the “fluorescence structural self-quenching effect” termed by us previously and demonstrates again that this phenomenon is not an accidental but a general one for acrylic monomers bearing electron-donating chromophores. Study of the initiation behavior of DMAPMI and its polymer showed that they could initiate the photopolymerization of AN, by combination with BPO, they could also initiate the thermopolymerization of vinyl monomers such as MMA. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.