Fluorescent Purine Nucleosides and Their Applications

Abstract

Fluorescent nucleosides have been used in diverse fields as powerful reporter mols. for investigating structures, functions, and interactions of DNA and RNA, in addn. to the conventional applications related to genomics such as gene detection, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing, and fluorescence imaging. In addn. to the traditional fluorescent nucleosides such as 2-aminopurine (2AP), different types of fluorescent nucleosides possessing other functions such as the ability of sensing viscosity, polarity, and surrounding pH at local environments of nucleic acids have been developed. In this chapter, the design strategy of various fluorescent nucleosides, particularly purine derivs., are described together with their photophys. characteristics. Fluorescent purine nucleosides are classified into several types depending upon their structural features. Design concept for environmentally sensitive fluorescent purine nucleosides and their applications to fluorescent DNA probes are described. [on SciFinder(R)]