Two-dye and one- or two-quencher DNA probes for real-time PCR assay: synthesis and comparison with a TaqMan™ probe

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2012 Jul;404(1):59-68. doi: 10.1007/s00216-012-6114-4. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Abstract

A typical TaqMan™ real-time PCR probe contains a 5'-fluorescent dye and a 3'-quencher. In the course of the amplification, the probe is degraded starting from the 5'-end, thus releasing fluorescent dye. Some fluorophores (including fluorescein) are known to be prone to self-quenching when located near each other. This work is aimed at studying dye-dye and dye-quencher interactions in multiply modified DNA probes. Twenty-one fluorogenic probes containing one and two fluoresceins (FAM), or a FAM-JOE pair, and one or two BHQ1 quenchers were synthesized using non-nucleoside reagents and "click chemistry" post-modification on solid phase and in solution. The probes were tested in real-time PCR using an ~300-bp-long natural DNA fragment as a template. The structural prerequisites for lowering the probe background fluorescence and increasing the end-plateau fluorescence intensity were evaluated and discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Probes / chemistry*
  • DNA Probes / genetics
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / instrumentation*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Taq Polymerase / chemistry*

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Taq Polymerase