Design of base-discriminating fluorescent nucleosides

We have demonstrated a new concept in the design of base-discriminating fluorescent (BDF) nucleosides that can clearly distinguish the type of base opposite the BDF base by a fluorescence change. The probe DNA containing BDF nucleosides exhibits a drastic change in fluorescence intensity only when it hybridizes with a specific target sequence. This clear change in fluorescence is used for SNP typing of genes. The homogeneous SNP typing method using BDF probes would be a powerful alternative to conventional SNP typing methods. In this review, the fluorescence properties of several BDF nucleosides are described.