Discovery of a Structural-Element Specific G-Quadruplex “Light-Up” Probe

Abstract

The development of a fluorescent probe capable of detecting and distinguishing the wide diversity of G-quadruplex structures is particularly challenging. Herein, we report a novel BODIPY-based fluorescent sensor (GQR) that shows unprecedented selectivity to parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes with exposed ends and four medium grooves. Mechanistic studies suggest that GQR associates with G-quadruplex grooves close to the end of the tetrad core, which may explain the dye's specificity to only a subset of parallel structures. This specific recognition favours the disaggregation of GQR in aqueous solutions thereby recovering the inherent fluorescence of the dye. Due to its unique features, GQR represents a valuable tool for basic biological research and the rapid discovery of novel, specific ligands that target similar structural features of G-quadruplexes.

A Transparent, Self‐Healing, Highly Stretchable Ionic Conductor

“…[48][49][50][51] Importantly, ion-dipole interactions are highly stable even under electrochemical conditions, which has been proven with a number of gel electrolytes. [52][53][54][55][56] Moreover, the material introduced here differs from traditional ion gels because it has a relatively low content of ionic liquid, a low level of leakage of ionic liquid out of the material, and unique mechanical properties (see Section "Comparison with typical ion gels" of the Supporting Information).…”

Recent Developments in G-Quadruplex Probes

“…As a class, BODIPY dyes possess sharp absorption bands, large fluorescence quantum yields and molar absorption coefficients, relatively long excited singlet-state lifetimes (these being around 1-10 ns), and robust chemical and photochemical stability (Ulrich et al, 2008). Recently, Chang and co-workers screened a library of 5,000 fluorescent sensors to identify hit molecules binding to G-quadruplex DNA (Zhang et al, 2014). Additional modifications furnished the BODIPY-based dye 18, which showed a 30-fold luminescent enhancement at 597 nm and a 12-nm bathochromic shift in the presence of 93del, an interlocked, dimeric parallel-stranded G-quadruplex with four medium grooves.…”

Green Solid Ionic Liquid Crystalline Electrolyte Membranes with Anisotropic Channels for Efficient Li‐Ion Batteries

“…Wang and coworkers reported a similar and highly organized honeycomb lattice of PVdF:HFP composed of micropore walls, decorated with nanopores using breath figure method. [21] In the present study, AFM(atomic force microscopy) imaging has been utilized to understand the hierarchical self-assembly of the porous network of PMIMP based solid electrolytes. AFM images of the film display well-defined microporous structure, which is quite similar to the observations made in SEM analysis ( Figure 1d).…”

“…Herein, microporous architecture is believed to get generated due to the evaporation of solvent, especially upon drying the film, as suggested by Wang and co-workers. [21] But the self-assembly of ionic liquid crystalline molecules leads to the generation of highly oriented nanoporous walls around the micropores, which are responsible for the excellent electrolyte uptake demonstrated by the PMIMP films. High magnification AFM images showing the presence of oriented nanostructures are given in Figure 1e,f and the phase profile of the same confirms the existence of extensive ordering of phases, essential for smooth charge transport and better ionic conductivity ( Figure 1g).…”