Study on the spectral behavior of four fluorescent dyes and their interactions with nucleic acid by the luminescence method

The spectral characteristics of four fluorescent dyes: tetrabromofluorescein (TBF), tetrachlorotetrabromofluorescein (TTF), lissamine rhodamine RB 200 (LSR) and methylene violet (MV) were studied by fluorescence and paper substrate room temperature phosphorescence (PS-RTP) methods. The factors affected the luminescence were investigated including pH value, paper substrate and drying conditions, etc. The fluorescence polarizations and PS-RTP lifetimes of these compounds were obtained. The intensity of fluorescence and phosphorescence of TBF and TTF increased in the presence of DNA. Contrarily, that of LSR and MV decreased. The fluorescence quenching and polarization studies indicate that TTF, LSR and MV intercalate into DNA base pairs. In addition, the interaction of TBF with DNA is the comprehensive interaction of two modes: intercalation and groove binding. It was also found that ionic strength could affect the binding of fluorescent dyes and DNA.