Cytosine fluorescein probes

Another hydrazine derivative of fluorescein, 5-(((2-(Carbohydrazino)methyl)thio)-acetyl)-aminofluorescein, contains a longer spacer arm off its No. 5 carbon atom of its lower ring than fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide, described previously (Molecular Probes). The reagent can be used to react spontaneously with aldehyde- or ketone-containing molecules forming a hydrazone linkage (Fig. 209). It also can be used to label cytosine residues in DNA or RNA by use of the bisulfite activation procedure (Chapter 17, Section 2.1). The resulting fluorescent derivative exhibits a maximal excitation at 490 nm and a maximal luminescence emission peak at 516 nm when dissolved in buffer at pH 8. In the same buffered environment, the compound has an extinction coefficient of approximately 75,000 M-1cm 1 at 490 nm. 

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