Synthesis of fluorescence probe based on AIE for sensing of DNA

Abstract

A fluorometric sensor for detection of ctDNA with modified tetraphenylethene based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is reported. A water-soluble fluorescent compound salt 1,2-di[4-(triethylammonio methylenephenyl)]-1,2 diphenyl ethene dibromide (DTAPE) was designed and synthesised. The molecular structure of DTAPE was characterised by ¹H-NMR, and its fluorescence was examined. As does its maternal compound, DTAPE exhibited AIE behaviour, which was caused by restriction of intramolecular rotation. This was verified by a large increase in the emission intensity by decreasing temperature in glycerol/water solution. 1,2-di[4-(triethylammonio methylenephenyl)]-1,2 diphenyl ethene dibromide was used as a fluorescent probe to detect ctDNA in Tris–HCl buffer solution at pH value of 7.2.It was found that the fluorescent intensity of DTAPE in the buffer solution was enhanced 11-fold when the concentration of ctDNA increased from 0 to70 μg mL^− 1.

Keywords:

• Aggregation
• Emission
• Tetraphenylethene
• Fluorescent
• Probe
• DNA

Acknowledgements

This project was partially supported by the Beijing excellent talent training (2012D005005000005), BIPT breeding project of outstanding young teachers and management backbones (BIPT –BPOYTMB-2013) and Scientific Research Project of Beijing Municipal Education Commission, China (KM201410017003).