Table 1 Examples of G4-specific small-molecule probes
From: In vivo dynamics and regulation of DNA G-quadruplex structures in mammals
Name | Chemical substance | Detection | Feature and advantage | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BMVC | 3,6-bis (1-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium) carbazole diiodide | DNA eG4s | Can be used to monitor the uptake and localization of guanine-rich oligonucleotides by cells | [26] |
TSQ1 | Nonlinear optical (NLO) squaraine | DNA eG4s | Cannot induce folding of eG4s. Its excitation and emission lights are harmless to health | [27] |
SiR-PyPDS | Silicon-rhodamine (SiR) linked to pyridostatin derivatives (PyPDS) | DNA eG4s | Cannot induce folding of eG4s at low concentrations (20 nM). Capable of single-molecule and real-time detection of individual eG4s in vivo | [28] |
ATPD | Anthrathiophenedione | DNA and RNA eG4s | High affinity for DNA and RNA eG4s | [29] |
NaphthoTASQ | A fluorogenic naphthalene template surrounded by four synthetic guanine arms | DNA and RNA eG4s | Flexibility in fluorescence wavelength selection due to its red-edge effect (REE) | [30] |
DAOTA-M2 | Planarized triarylmethyl carbocation (triangulenium) derivatives | DNA and RNA eG4s | Capable of detecting G4s even in the presence of other competing nucleic acid topologies. Suitable for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope (FLIM) | [31] |