Amine-Reactive Fluorescein Derivatives

Two general forms of amine-reactive fluorescein probes are available. Both of them react under alkaline conditions with primary amines in proteins and other molecules to form stable, highly fluorescent derivatives. 

DNA modified with a diamine compound to contain terminal primary amines may be coupled with amine-reactive fluorescent labels. The most common fluorophores used for oligonucleotide labeling are the cyanine dyes and derivatives of fluorescein and rhodamine (Chapter 9). However, any of the amine-reactive labels discussed throughout Chapter 9 are valid candidates for DNA applications. 

Extending the utility of fluorescence to various nonfluorophores is achieved via chemical derivatization methods, also termed labeling or tagging methods (Reaction 11.2). Numerous commercial fluorescent tags are available with disparate reactive functional groups. For example, derivatives of fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) are reactive toward nucleophiles such as amines and sulfhydryl groups. 

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