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Molecular Beacons: A Novel Approach to Detect Protein – DNA Interactions
Author(s) -
Li Jianwei Jeffery,
Fang Xiaohong,
Schuster Sheldon M.,
Tan Weihong
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-3773(20000317)39:6<1049::aid-anie1049>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - molecular beacon , quenching (fluorescence) , oligonucleotide , fluorophore , dna , intramolecular force , biophysics , fluorescence , chemistry , computational biology , biological system , biology , biochemistry , physics , stereochemistry , quantum mechanics
Through clever design of an oligonucleotide probe , the molecular beacon (MB), protein – DNA interactions can be studied and proteins quantified. The principle involves a design in which the fluorophore (F) of the MB is quenched by intramolecular interaction with a quenching group (Q) in close proximity. This quenching is relieved by the interaction of the molecular beacon with a single‐stranded DNA binding protein (SSB). As a result, fluorescence is restored and can be monitored. This approach could be developed into a powerful method for directly monitoring protein production in living cells and organs.