title: Carbon dots based FRET for the detection of DNA damage.
abstract: Here, we aimed our attention at the synthesis of carbon dots (C-dots) with the ability to interact with DNA to suggest an approach for the detection of DNA damage. Primarily, C-dots modified with amine moieties were synthesized using the one-step microwave pyrolysis of citric acid in the presence of diethylenetriamine. The C-dots showed strong photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 4%. In addition, the C-dots (2.8±0.8nm) possessed a good colloidal stability and exhibited a positive surface charge (ζ=36mV) at a neutral pH. An interaction study of the C-dots and the DNA fragment of λ bacteriophage was performed, and the DNA binding resulted in changes to the photoluminescent and absorption properties of the C-dots. A binding of the C-dots to DNA was also observed as a change to DNA electrophoretic mobility and a decreased ability to intercalate ethidium bromide (EtBr). Moreover, the Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the C-dots and EtBr was studied, in which the C-dots serve as an excitation energy donor and the EtBr serves as an acceptor. When DNA was damaged using ultraviolet (UV) radiation (λ=254nm) and hydroxyl radicals, the intensity of the emitted photoluminescence at 612nm significantly decreased. The concept was proved on analysis of the genomic DNA from PC-3 cells and DNA isolated from melanoma tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czechia.
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kudr
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czechia; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, CZ-616 00 Brno, Czechia.
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Richtera
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Blv. Zog I, No. 2/1, 1001 Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Kledi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xhaxhiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czechia; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, CZ-616 00 Brno, Czechia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hynek
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czechia; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, CZ-616 00 Brno, Czechia.
authors.forename: Zbynek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Heger
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czechia; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, CZ-616 00 Brno, Czechia.
authors.forename: Ondrej
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zitka
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno CZ-613 00, Czechia; Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Technicka 3058/10, CZ-616 00 Brno, Czechia. Electronic address: vojtech.adam@mendelu.cz.
authors.forename: Vojtech
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Adam
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D049408:Luminescent Agents; D002244:Carbon; D004247:DNA
keywords: Biosensing; Fluorescence resonance energy transfer; Quantum dots; UV irradiation