Modifying the terminal phenyl group of monomethine cyanine dyes as a pathway to brighter nucleic acid probes.

Three novel monomethine cyanine dyes were synthesized carrying electron donating groups to obtain even brighter nucleic acids probes. Photophysical properties of these dyes were evaluated with DNA and selected dyes with RNA. A great variation in brightness and binding properties of the dyes was observed. Moreover the X-ray crystal structures are presented for two dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]