Förster resonance energy transfer among a structural isomer of adenine and various Coumarins inside a nanosized reverse micelle

In this article we have studied Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) using 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a structural isomer of adenine as donor and various Coumarins as acceptors inside AROSOL-OT (AOT)-water reverse micelles (RM) using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies. We have used three sets of FRET and all the pairs except 2-AP–Coumarin-480 exhibited quite efficient FRET. For the efficient pairs, overlap integral J(λ) and Förster distance (R0) are of high values but the rate constant of energy transfer (kET) are quite low. The rate is gradually amplified with increase in water content for the 2-AP–Coumarin-440 pair while the reverse is observed for 2-AP–Coumarin-460. In future our FRET pair can be used in more modified and sophisticated confined media such as biomembranes of varying size, physical properties and chemical compositions etc.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 2-Amino purine, a structural isomer of adenine. ► It is a sensitive fluorescent probe inside DNA helix. ► Undergo FRET with common dyes C-440 and C-460 inside reverse micelle. ► Can be used as extrinsic fluorescent probes inside DNA containing system.