Detection of pyrimidine-rich DNA sequences based on the formation of parallel and antiparallel triplex DNA and fluorescent silver nanoclusters

In this work, the use of DNA-stabilized fluorescent silver nanoclusters for the detection of target pyrimidine-rich DNA sequences by formation of parallel and antiparallel triplex structures is studied by molecular fluorescence spectroscopy. In the case of parallel triplexes, the probe DNA fragments are Watson-Crick stabilized hairpins, and whereas in the case of antiparallel triplexes, the probe fragments are reverse-Hoogsteen clamps. In all cases, the formation of the triplex structures has been assessed by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and molecular fluorescence spectroscopies, as well as multivariate data analysis methods. The results have shown that it is possible the detection of pyrimidine-rich sequences with an acceptable selectivity by using the approach based on the formation of antiparallel triplex structures.

Automated summary

This study investigates the use of DNA-stabilized fluorescent silver nanoclusters for the detection of pyrimidine-rich DNA sequences through the formation of parallel and antiparallel triplex structures, using molecular fluorescence spectroscopy. The effectiveness of the formation of triplex structures was evaluated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, molecular fluorescence spectroscopy, and multivariate data analysis. The results indicate that the detection of pyrimidine-rich sequences with acceptable selectivity is possible using the approach based on the formation of antiparallel triplex structures.