Discovery of a new fluorescent light-up probe specific to parallel G-quadruplexes

A novel 2,4,5-triaryl-substituted imidazole (IZCM-1) has been found to display distinct and specific fluorescence enhancement upon binding to parallel G-quadruplexes. Such a sensitive and topology-specific probe is able to light up without affecting the topology or thermal stability of the G-quadruplex sample. Thus, these advantages distinguish IZCM-1 from other G-quadruplex probes.