Simple Fluorescent Pyrimidine Analogues Detect the Presence of DNA Abasic Sites

A family of simple pyrimidine analogues has been synthesized, and their photophysical properties have been investigated. The most responsive of the family was incorporated in DNA. This isosteric fluorescent DNA analogue monitors denaturation of a DNA duplex via fluorescence and positively detects the presence of abasic sites in DNA duplexes.