RNA as scaffold for pyrene excited complexes

Synthesis and spectral properties of 1-ethynylpyrene base modified RNA are reported. The fluorophore attached to the 2-position of adenosine is directed into the easily accessible minor groove in RNA. Through an intermolecular interaction of the pyrene residues in twofold labelled RNA, single and double strands can be distinguished by their fluorescence maxima around 450 and 480 nm, respectively. This behaviour allows the kinetic investigation of RNA hybridisation and folding by fluorescence spectroscopy. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.