Label-free luminescence switch-on detection of T4 polynucleotide kinase activity using a G-quadruplex-selective probe

Abstract

A label-free, oligonucleotide-based, switch-on luminescence detection method for T4 polynucleotide kinase activity has been developed using a novel G-quadruplex-selective luminescent Ir(III) complex probe. The application of the assay for screening potential T4 PNK inhibitors is also demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first metal-based assay for PNK activity.