Fluorescence Characteristics of Variously Charged Asymmetric Monomethine Cyanine Dyes in the Presence of Nucleic Acids

Three asymmetric monomethine cyanine dyes bearing one, two, and three positive charges have been synthesized, and their absorption and fluorescence characteristics in the presence of nucleic acids were studied. The maxima of their longest wavelength absorption band lie between 500 and 520 nm. The dyes do not show fluorescence of their own in TE buffer (pH = 7.5), but become strongly fluorescent (Q_F = 0.2–0.6) on binding to double-stranded DNA. The fluorescence maxima of the investigated dye-dsDNA complexes are in the region of 530–550 nm. The influence of the dye/DNA ratio on both the position and intensity of the fluorescence maxima of the complexes is investigated.     

Influence of the Aggregation of Homo-N-Mer Cyanine Dyes on the Nucleic Acids Detection Sensitivity

Novel benzothiazolopyridinium homo-n-mer cyanine dyes are proposed for nucleic acid fluorescent detection. Dependence of the sensitivity of detection in solution from the dye molecules/DNA base pairs ratio was studied. It was shown that the presence of the dye excess could significantly decrease the detection limit. We believe this could be explained by the formation of the dye aggregates on DNA surface.     

New Approach for Fluorescent Peptide Labeling with Pyrylium Cyanine Dyes

New approach for fluorescent peptide labeling with cyanine dyes utilizing the reaction of pyrylium salts with aliphatic aminogroup is proposed. The reaction of two pyrylium cyanines dye acids was investigated. Lysocyme was used as a model peptide for conjugation. The proposed method can be used as a simple and convenient alternative for the known procedures because it does not require preparation of the unstable amino-reactive intermediates from a carboxyl- or sulfo-derivative of cyanine dyes.     

Fluorescence of Styryl Dyes-DNA Complexes Induced by Single- and Two-Photon Excitation

The series of novel monomer and homodimer styryl dyes based on (p-dimethylaminostyryl) benzothiazolium residues were synthesized and studied as possible fluorescent probes for nucleic acids detection. Spectral-luminescent and spectral-photometric properties of obtained dyes in the unbound state and in DNA presence were studied. Fluorescence emission induced by two-photon excitation of dye-DNA complexes in aqueous buffer solution was registered. Two-photon absorption cross section values of the studied dyes in DNA presence were evaluated.     

Specificity of Cyanine Dye L-21 Aggregation in Solutions with Nucleic Acids

Optical spectroscopy experiments were used to study the features of cyanine dye 3,3′-dimethyl-9-(2-thienyl)-thiacarbocyanine iodide (L-21) aggregation in binary solutions DMF:Tris–HCl buffer (pH = 8) containing nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). The appearance of absorption and luminescence bands associated with J-aggregates and dimers that are formed within the minor groove of DNA has been observed. The model of L-21 J-aggregate structure is proposed. It has been found that dimers are the building blocks of L-21 J-aggregates. Disorientation in dimers caused by the minor groove curvature is reason of observation of Davydov splitting in absorption spectrum of L-21 J-aggregates. In the solution containing DNA the absorption and luminescence bands of L-21 J-aggregates exhibit the specific properties that allows the dye L-21 to be used as a fluorescent probe for DNA detection.     

An Investigation of Tricarbocyanines “Stains-All” and “iso-Stains-All” as Fluorescent Nucleic Acids Probes

Luminescent properties of carbocyanine dyes Stains-All and its isomer iso-Stains-All were studied in the presence of nucleic acids. Both dyes show sufficient fluorescent intensity increase in the presence of DNA and RNA and may be used as fluorescent probes for nucleic acids (NA) detection in homogeneous assays. It was supposed that Stains-All and iso-Stains-All bind with nucleic acids through different interaction modes.     

Studies on the Spectral-Luminescent Properties of the Novel Homodimer Styryl Dyes in Complexes with DNA

Series of homodimer styryls containing on (p-dimethylaminostyryl) pyridinium residues that are connected with aliphatic linkage group was synthesized. Spectral luminescent properties of obtained dyes in free state and in nucleic acids presence were studied. It was shown that DNA binding affinity of the novel homodimers exceeds that of parent monomer (p-dimethylaminostyryl)pyridine iodide. For homodimers with the linkage 4–10 carbon atoms preference in binding to DNA than to RNA was observed. It could be concluded that parent monomer has different mechanisms of binding to nucleic acids than corresponding homodimer dye.     

Studies of Benzothiazole and Benzoselenazole Squaraines as Fluorescent Probes for Albumins Detection

Series of squaraine benzothiazole and benzoselenazole dyes were studied as possible fluorescent probes for the detection of proteins, particularly albumins. It was shown that majority of the studied squaraines give significant fluorescent response on the human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin presence. For squaraine dyes with N-hexyl pendent groups (P-1, P-2, P-3, P-5) about 100−540-fold fluorescence intensity increase upon albumins addition was observed. At the same time in presence of other proteins, namely insulin, avidin from hen egg white, immunoglobulin G (IgG), carbonic anhydrase fluorescence enhancement values were considerably lower —up to 43 times in IgG presence. It was noted that generally, squaraines with long N-hexyl pendent groups demonstrate higher emission increase values upon proteins addition comparing with their analogues with short N-ethyl tails. It was shown that fluorescence intensity enhancement for benzothiazole squaraine dye P-3, relates linearly to the HSA concentration over the wide range—from 0.2 to 500 μg/ml. Together with noticeable selectivity of this dye to albumins, existence of wide dynamic range gives possibility to propose P-3 dye as probe for HSA quantification.     

The Mechanism of Benzothiazole Styrylcyanine Dyes Binding with dsDNA: Studies by Spectral-Luminescent Methods

In the presented work studies of the interaction mode of monomer and two homodimer benzothiazole styryl dyes containing spermine-like linkage/tail group with the double stranded (ds) DNA are reported. For these dyes, equilibrium constant of dye binding to DNA (K _b), as well as the number of dsDNA base pairs occupied by one bound dye molecule (n) were determined. The data obtained show that the presence of spermine-like group containing quaternary nitrogen (Bos-5) results in increase of K _b value as compared to this of unsubstituted analogue (Sbt). Besides, for the dimer dyes containing benzothiazole styryl chromophores, the K _b value is either five times higher (DBos-13) or almost the same (DBsu-10) as compared to this of corresponding monomer Sbt, depending on the position in the benzothiazole ring where the linker is attached. Moreover, the n values for both dimers are significantly different as well, pointing to the bis-intercalative binding mechanism for DBos-13 and for the groove-binding one for DBsu-10. The conclusion about the dimer dyes-dsDNA binding mechanisms is also supported by the study of the fluorescent response of these dyes on the presence of AT- and GC-containing polynucleotides.     

Photophysical Characterization of New 3-Amino and 3-Acetamido BODIPY Dyes with Solvent Sensitive Properties

The structural, electronic and photophysical properties of three new asymmetric, highly fluorescent difluoroborondipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes, bearing an amino or an acetamido group at position 3 of the chromophoric core, have been studied in different apolar, polar and polar/protic solvents. The presence of the 3-amido group extents the delocalization of the π-system, leading to bathochromic shifts in the absorption and fluorescence bands, as predicted by quantum mechanic calculations. The 3-amino dye shows photophysical properties highly dependent on the solvent polarity and acidity, and is characterized by a hypsochromic shift of its absorption band, with regard to the corresponding acetylated dye, as well as a low fluorescence quantum yield in acid media with proton concentration lower than 4 × 10⁻⁴ M. In media with higher proton concentration, the BF₂ bridge group of the 3-amino dye is removed, yielding the corresponding non-fluorescent dipyrromethene precursor. These results suggest that the 3-amino dye could be used as a fluorescence probe for the study of the acidity of different environments.     

Spectral Properties of Single BODIPY Dyes in Polystyrene Microspheres and in Solutions

The absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence quantum yield, and photostability of five BODIPY dyes are characterized and compared as single dyes in two environments, in 40-nm polystyrene spheres and in solution. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the dyes in spheres are similar in profile but shifted to lower energies compared to those in solution. All the dyes are highly fluorescent, with three having fluorescence quantum yields of 1.0. For three of the five dyes, the yields were the same in spheres as in solution (1.00, 1.00, and 0.73). The high concentration of these dyes in spheres does not quench their fluorescence. For two other dyes the yields dropped, from 1.00 to 0.55 in one case and 0.83 to 0.50 in another, comparing the dyes in solution versus in spheres. The photodegradation of the dyes decreases in spheres compared to in solution in all but one case. For one dye, it decreases as much as 800-fold. Dyes overlooked because of low fluorescence or stability in solution could become useful fluorescent materials in the microsphere environment.     

Coassembly of Gold Nanoclusters with Nucleic Acids: Sensing,Bioimaging, and Gene Transfection

Assemblies of biopolymers and nanomaterials have become a powerful tool to build up new architectures with growing application potential. Herein, novel peptide‐stabilized fluorescent gold nanoclusters, K4‐AuNCs, are utilized as building blocks to investigate their coassembly with nucleic acids. K4‐AuNCs possess ultrasmall size (1.8 nm), red fluorescence emission, and positively charged surfaces, which are able to coassemble with DNA or RNA strands through electrostatic interactions to form pitaya‐like hybrid nanoparticles ranging from 30 to 80 nm, accompanied by an up to 3.5‐fold fluorescence enhancement. The coassembly also forms intracellularly, rendering K4‐AuNCs an attractive dye for specific in vivo nucleic acid staining, due to their higher photostability than commercial fluorescent probes such as SYTO 9. This work also demonstrates that the coassembly of K4‐AuNCs with nucleic acids can be applied to gene transfection and to build up a sensing platform to detect DNase/RNase activity or to screen their inhibitors. The new strategy greatly extends the application range of gold nanoclusters into the development of new nucleic acid detection methods and novel hybrid materials.     

Spectral-Luminescent Properties of Cationic Indotricarbocyanine Dyes in Cancerous Cells and Solutions

The spectral-luminescent properties of symmetrical indotricarbocyanine dyes with the same cation and different anions (Br^–, BF₄ ^–) in cancerous HeLa cells, an isotonic solution of NaCl, and organic solvents have been investigated. It is shown that when these dyes are present in cells in nontoxic concentrations, they are in a monomeric state, they are localized in the region with a low dielectric permeability, bonded to biological macromolecules, and do not make contact with an aqueous medium. It has been established for the first time that the molecules of the polymeric dyes are present in cells predominantly in the form of contact ion pairs, and in a dye with the Br^– anion the presence of free cations or solvately separated ionic pairs is revealed. It is shown that the shift of the ion equilibrium toward contact ion pairs for the dyes in the cells (as compared to the low-polarity organic solvents) can be due to the fairly high concentration of salts in the biosystem.     

Spectral Properties, Cation Selectivity, and Dynamic Efficiency of Fluorescent Alkali Ion Indicators in Aqueous Solution Around Neutral pH

The spectral properties of two fluorescent alkali ion indicators, the commercially available cryptand CD222 and a new bipyridyl-type cryptand, F[bpy.bpy.2], bearing the trifluorocoumarino residue are investigated in aqueous solution as a function of pH as well as around neutral pH in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth cations. From the values of the acidity constants it is concluded that bridgehead nitrogen deprotonation occurs at a much lower pH for CD222 (pK _a below 5.5) than for F[bpy.bpy.2]. Spectrofluorometric titrations with salts of NH⁺ ₄, TI⁺, and alkali as well as alkaline earth cations indicate that both indicators are K⁺ selective. F[bpy.bpy.2] shows the higher K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity and larger fluorescence intensity changes but the slower dynamic response. Under suitable conditions, alkali ion binding by CD222 can occur in less than 1 ms.     

Interaction of a New Fluorescent Probe with DNA and its Use in Determination of DNA

In this paper we reported a metal complex 1-Zn (2,5-di-[2-(3,5-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethylene]-pyrazine-Zn) as a fluorescent probe sensing DNA. The result of the competitive experiment of the probe with ethidium bromide (EB) to bind DNA, absorption spectral change and polarization change in the presence and absence of DNA revealed that interaction between the probe and DNA was via intercalation. Ionic strength experiment showed the existence of electrostatic interaction as well. Scatchard plots also confirmed the combined binding modes. The fluorescence enhancement of the probe was ascribed to highly hydrophobic environment when it bound the macromolecules such as DNA, RNA or denatured DNA. The binding constant between the probe and DNA was estimated as 3.13 × 10⁷ mol⁻¹ L. The emission intensity increase was proportional to the concentration of DNA. Based on this, the probe was used to determine the concentration of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). The corresponding linear response ranged from 2.50 × 10⁻⁷ to 4.75 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹, and detection limit was 1.93 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ for ct-DNA.     

不同溶解氧水平上覆水中DOM荧光特性及总氮含量评估

采用荧光光谱技术研究不同溶解氧(DO)水平下二十埠河底泥上覆水中溶解性有机物(DOM)转化特性及类蛋白荧光强度与总氮浓度的关系。三维荧光光谱显示：上覆水中DOM主要由三种类蛋白物质(高激发波长类酪氨酸、低激发波长类酪氨酸、低激发波长类色氨酸)和两种类富里酸物质(紫外区类富里酸、可见区类富里酸物质)组成,类蛋白物质是上覆水中DOM的主要成分。经过曝气后类蛋白荧光强度均存在明显降低,其中低激发波长酪氨酸和低激发波长色氨酸相对于高激发波长酪氨酸更易被微生物降解。而类富里酸荧光强度则均呈现增强趋势,表明类富里酸物质属于难降解有机物。上覆水中DOM荧光指数介于1.65~1.8之间,表明上覆水体DOM既有陆源又有生物源但以生物源为主。荧光指数随DO增加而增大,说明随着DO增加微生物量及微生物活性逐渐增加,微生物代谢功能增强,使得上覆水中DOM的生物源成份加大。在较高的溶解氧水平下,即DO分别为2.5,3.5和5.5 mg·L-1时,高激发波长类酪氨酸峰A的荧光强度与上覆水中总氮浓度有良好的相关性,相关系数(r2)分别为0.956,0.946,0.953,说明可以通过三维荧光技术监测高激发波长类酪氨酸峰A的荧光强度而快速分析上覆水中总氮浓度,为河道水体诊断、治理及修复提供快速有效的技术参考和理论支持。     

Ar+激光和532 nm激光及其线偏振激光辐照光学模型下人正常小肠组织光学特性

采用双积分球系统和光辐射测量技术的基本原理以及运用生物组织的光学模型 ,研究了 4 76 5 ,4 88,4 96 5 ,5 14 5 ,5 32nm激光及其线偏振激光辐照人正常小肠组织的光学特性。结果表明 :组织对激光及线偏振激光的衰减系数和散射系数随着波长的减小而增大 ,而 5 14 5～ 5 32nm波长之间 ,线偏振光与非线偏振光入射则开始有明显差异。吸收系数是随着波长的减小而缓慢地增大 ,而 5 14 5～ 5 32nm波长之间吸收系数的改变则明显变小 ,与是否线偏振光入射无明显差异。平均散射余弦也是随着波长的减小而增大 ,光学穿透深度则是随着波长的增大而增大 ,折射率在这五个波长范围内的值在 (1 38～ 1 4 8)之间。Kubel ka Munk二流模型下组织对同一波长的激光及其线偏振激光的吸收系数、散射系数、总衰减系数、有效衰减系数没有显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。组织对不同波长的激光或其线偏振激光的吸收系数、散射系数、总衰减系数、有效衰减系数是有差异的。而在 5 14 5～ 5 32nm波长之间其光学特性参数有较为明显的差异。