C. Gosse et al., A new fluorescent probe for studies of interactions between hydrophobic oligonucleotides and cellular membranes, NUCLEOS NUC, 18(6-7), 1999, pp. 1473-1476
The synthesis of a new fluorescently labeled medium-sensitive lipophilic ol
igonucleotide is reported. A fluorescent chalcone chromophore was introduce
d between the 5' end of the nucleic acid and the fatty hydrocarbon chains.
A blue shift of both absorption and emission wavelength maxima results from
a transfer of the chromophore to a more hydrophobic medium or upon binding
of the conjugate to unilamellar vesicles of egg phosphatidyl choline. Thes
e conjugates could be used as markers for cell uptake studies of lipophilic
nucleic acid derivatives.