Polymethine dyes as spectral-fluorescent probes for biomacromolecules

It is known that polymethine dyes (PD) can form complexes with biomacromolecules, in which, as a rule, fluorescence buildup is observed. In addition, PD possess a unique property to form ordered aggregates of different types (dimers, H- and J-aggregates) both in the free state and on biomacromolecules as templates. This creates a basis for application of PD as spectral-fluorescent probes for biomacromolecules, which is a matter of this review. Besides, the review is devoted to studies of noncovalent interactions of PD with biomacromolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, and some others.

► Use of polymethine dyes as probes for biomacromolecules is reviewed.
► Nucleic acids, proteins, and some other biomacromolecules are considered.
► Besides, works on noncovalent interaction of the dyes with biomolecules are reviewed.