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A Molecular Peptide Beacon for the Ratiometric Sensing of Nucleic Acids

In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the pyrenefunctionalized oligopeptide 1 can be used as a molecular peptide beacon to sense ds-DNA. Upon binding to nucleic acids 1 undergoes a conformational change from a folded to an extended form which switches the fluorescence of 1 from an excimer emission to a monomer emission. PB 1 can thus be used for the ratiometric sensing of different types of polynucleotides as binding to p(dA•dT)2 is preferred to G-C containing polynucleotides. Most importantly PB 1 is taken up by cells and can thus be used for the staining of nuclear DNA using fluorescence microscopy. As 1 does not possess any general cytotoxicity it might be of interest for applications in diagnostics.

peptide beacon; DNA sensing; bioorganic chemistry; cell imaging

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