Label-free sensing of abasic DNA using pyrenylamido triazolyl aromatic amino acid scaffold as AIE probe

We report a label-free strategy for switch-on sensing of abasic DNA using aggregation-induced emission (AIE) probe, pyrenylamido triazolyl aromatic amino acid scaffold (PyAm-(Ar)TAA). In aqueous media and buffer the probe molecule aggregates through the electrostatic as well as hydrophobic pi-pi stacking interaction resulting in strong fluorescence emission. Thus, the probe is found to be useful in sensing of an abasic site opposite to adenosine (A) base of a T-rich 13-mer DNA via an enhancement of fluorescence intensity. Intercalative stacking interaction of pyrenyl unit within the minor groove and alongside the abasic site opposite of base A possibly play an essential role in the success of label-free sensing of abasic DNA by the probe.