title: Fluorescence resonance energy transfer in CdSe/ZnS-DNA conjugates: probing hybridization and DNA cleavage.
abstract: Nucleic-acid-functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were hybridized with the complementary Texas-Red-functionalized nucleic acid. The hybridization was monitored by following the fluorescence resonance energy transfer from the QDs to the dye units. Treatment of the QD/dye DNA duplex structure with DNase I resulted in the cleavage of the DNA and the recovery of the fluorescence properties of the CdSe/ZnS QDs. The luminescence properties of the QDs were, however, only partially recovered due to the nonspecific adsorption of the dye onto the QDs. Similarly, nucleic-acid-functionalized Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) were hybridized with the complementary Texas-Red-labeled nucleic acid. The hybridization was followed by the fluorescence quenching of the dye by the Au NPs. Treatment of the Au NP/dye DNA duplex with DNase I resulted in the cleavage of the DNA and the partial recovery of the dye fluorescence. The incomplete recovery of the dye fluorescence originated from the nonspecific binding of the dye units to the Au NPs. The nonspecific binding of the dye to the CdSe/ZnS QDs and the Au NPs is attributed to nonprotected surface vacancies in the two systems.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Itamar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Willner
authors.forename: Itzhak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shweky
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Banin
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D004247:DNA; C058667:cadmium selenide; C031238:zinc sulfide