Oligonucleotide stabilized silver nanoclusters as fluorescence probe for drug–DNA interaction investigation

In this work, oligonucleotide stabilized silver nanoclusters as novel fluorescent probes were successfully utilized for the drug–DNA interaction study. Silver nanoclusters were proved to be sensitive probes for the drugs investigated (including of two kinds of intercalators, daunorubicin and quinacrine, as well as a non-intercalating binder bisBenzimide H 33258), as the detection limits at 10−8 mol L−1 level of studied drugs can be achieved. The interactions of drugs and calf thymus DNA were investigated using non-linear fit analysis, and the binding constants as well as binding site sizes were obtained. As biocompatible materials, silver nanoclusters are promising in the chemical especially biochemical analysis fields.

In this work, oligonucleotide stabilized silver nanoclusters as novel fluorescent probes were successfully utilized for the drug–DNA interaction study. With the advantage of biocompatibility and simple synthesis procedure, Ag clusters are promising fluorescent probes in the chemical and especially biochemical sensing fields.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Oligonucleotide stabilized silver nanoclusters were utilized as novel fluorescent probes for drug–DNA interaction.
► The binding constants and binding site sizes of drug–DNA interactions were investigated using non-linear fit analysis.
► Sequence preference between daunorubicin and six double-stranded tetranucleotides was studied.