Abstract
We report that the hydrogen-bonding pattern in a molecular beacon can be replaced by metal-dependent pairs of Hg(2+) and DNA thymine (T) bases. A molecular beacon based on T-Hg(2+)-T exhibits a lower background signal and higher thermostability than regular molecular beacons.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Base Sequence
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DNA Probes / chemistry*
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Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
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Kinetics
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Mercury / chemistry*
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Nucleic Acid Hybridization / methods*
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Thermodynamics
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Thymine / chemistry*
Substances
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DNA Probes
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Mercury
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Thymine