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Updated: May 12, 2026

Synthesis of Wavelength-shifting DNA Hybridization Probes by Using Photostable Cyanine Dyes
Published on: July 6, 2016
Alkaloid chelirubine and DNA: blue and red luminescence
Michal Rajecky1, Iva Slaninova, Petra Mokrisova
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, Brno 611 37, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Extracts from Himalayan herb Dicranostigma lactucoides containing alkaloid chelirubine have been used for centuries in Chinese herbal medicine. We have found a new utilization for the alkaloid: it can be used as a DNA fluorescent probe showing blue (free form) and red (intercalated to DNA) luminescence emission after irradiation by near-UV light. Besides quantification of DNA (LOD = 6 ng ml(-1)) it can also be used as a supravital cell probe because chelirubine molecules can effectively enter into the living cell through the cell membrane.
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