Detection of Texas red-labelled double-stranded DNA by non-enzymatic peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence

We have found previously that different fluorescent dyes cannot be efficien tly excited by the bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate (TCPO)-H2O2 reaction w hen they are intercalated between the DNA bases or bound to the minor groov e of the double helix. Here we show that the fluorescent dye Texas red, cov alently bound to the 3 ' ends of double-stranded DNA molecules, exhibits a high emission intensity when excited by the TCPO-H2O2 reaction. In this cas e, the charge transfer between the intermediate produced in the peroxyoxala te chemiluminescent reaction and Texas red can take place because this fluo rophore is not buried inside the DNA structure. We describe the application of this chemiluminescent reaction to the detection of blotted DNA on nylon membranes. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.