Sensing of DNA conformation based on change in FRET efficiency between laser dyes

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that changes in FRET efficiency between laser dyes attached to DNA can be used to detect DNA conformational changes caused by environmental factors like pH and temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a method to monitor DNA conformation changes using FRET efficiency variations in a layer-by-layer assembled film.

Findings

FRET efficiency varies with DNA denaturation and coil formation.

Environmental factors like pH and temperature influence DNA conformation and FRET signals.

FRET-based detection can serve as a tool for sensing DNA structural changes.

Abstract

This communication reports the effect of DNA conformation on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency between two laser dyes in layer by layer (LbL) self assembled film. The dyes Acraflavine and Rhodamine B were attached onto the negative phosphate backbones of DNA in LbL film through electrostatic attraction. Then FRET between these dyes was investigated. Increase in pH or temperature causes the denaturation of DNA followed by coil formation of single stranded DNA. As a result the FRET efficiency also changed along with it. These observations demonstrated that by observing the change in FRET efficiency between two laser dyes in presence of DNA it is possible to detect the altered DNA conformation in the changed environment.