Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Uracil-DNA Glycosylase Assay by Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Published on: April 22, 2022
Photoinduced electron transfer detection method for identifying UGT1A1*28 microsatellites
Shirou Tsuchida1, Noriaki Himi1, Yuuki Miura1
1Division of Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido, Japan.
Researchers developed a novel naked-eye DNA detection method using photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) to identify UDP-glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)*28 genetic variations. This method shows promise but faces challenges in target DNA amplification for practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The UDP-glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)*28 polymorphism is a significant genetic marker.
- Existing detection methods for UGT1A1*28 may require complex laboratory procedures.
- A need exists for simpler, accessible diagnostic tools for genetic variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, naked-eye detection method for the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism.
- To utilize the photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) phenomenon for DNA detection.
- To assess the feasibility of discriminating different thymine-adenine (TA)-repeat numbers associated with UGT1A1*28.
Main Methods:
- Design of fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes.
- Hybridization of probes with complementary target DNAs.
- Observation of fluorescence quenching due to photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) upon base pairing.
Main Results:
- A novel method for naked-eye detection of UGT1A1*28 was successfully devised.
- Fluorescence quenching was observed upon hybridization between labeled cytosine (C) and guanine (G) at the DNA strand end.
- Discrimination of different TA-repeat numbers was achieved when the labeled C-G pair was positioned near the repeat sequence.
Conclusions:
- The developed PeT-based method offers a potential route for simple, naked-eye detection of UGT1A1*28.
- The method demonstrates the ability to distinguish between different TA-repeat numbers.
- A significant challenge remains in producing sufficient target DNA for practical application of this probe, potentially hindering widespread use.

