Donor-π-acceptor dyes have piqued the interest of researchers over the years due to their fluorescence properties in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength range. Currently, these dyes are being investigated as potential phototherapeutic agents with the aim of reducing the adverse side effects of conventional chemotherapy drugs. We have observed that some donor-π-acceptor molecules upon NIR excitation generate reactive oxygen species, thus inducing severe oxidative damage to DNA. In this study, we have investigated the stability and optical properties of such dyes with a chloroacrylic acid acceptor connected to a quinoline and benzothiazole donor moieties <i>via</i> a π-conjugated linker containing cyclohexene and a <i>meso</i>-chlorine atom. The data presented will showcase the abilities of these donor acceptor dyes to induce DNA photocleavage within the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength range, thus allowing for deep photon penetration through biological tissues. Specifically, the study involves reactions containing circular pUC19 plasmid DNA with various microM dye concentrations irradiated with 730 - 980 nm LED laser light sources. Additionally, the modes of binding of the dyes to DNA will be analyzed by utilizing UV-visible, fluorescence, and CD spectroscopies.

Optical properties and DNA interactions of NIR donor acceptor photonucleases based on chloroacrylic acid

ACS Spring 2022

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