Selective Labeling Aldehydes in DNA.

A naphthalimide hydroxylamine probe has been designed and synthesized to selectively label the whole natural aldehydes present in DNAs including 5-formylcytosine, 5-formyluracil, and abasic sites. The fluorescence characteristics of the generated nucleosides have been examined in detail, and the reaction activities of hydroxylamine, amine groups toward aldehydes in DNA have been discussed with others, which will be a vital reference for designing chemicals for selective labeling of DNAs.