Fluorescence enhancement of oligodeoxynucleotides modified with green fluorescent protein chromophore mimics upon triplex formation.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based molecular-rotor chromophores were attached to the 5-positions of deoxyuridines, and subsequently, incorporated into the middle positions of oligodeoxynucleotides. These oligonucleotides were designed to form triplex DNA in order to encapsulate the GFP chromophores, mimicking GFP structures. Upon triplex formation, the embedded GFP chromophores exhibited fluorescence enhancement, suggesting the potential application of these fluorescent probes for the detection of nucleic acids.