DNA gated photochromism and fluorescent switch in a thiazole orange modified diarylethene†
Abstract
Thiazole orange-modified diarylethene (1) shows weak fluorescence but no photochromism in aqueous solution. When binding with DNA, the fluorescence of 1 is enhanced drastically and the photochromic reactivity is unlocked. This kind of DNA-responsive photoswitchable system can be used for imaging nucleic acids within cells.