Homogeneous DNA hybridization assay by using europium luminescence energy transfer.

Homogeneous DNA hybridization assay based on luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) from a tetradentate beta-diketonate europium chelate, 4,4'-bis(1' ',1' ',1' ',2' ',2' ',3' ',3' '-heptafluoro-4' ',6' '-hexanedion-6' '-yl)-chlorosulfo-o-terphenyl (BHHCT)-Eu(3+) (lambda(ex) = 340 nm and lambda(em) = 615 nm), to an organic dye, Cy5 (lambda(ex) = 643 nm and lambda(em) = 669 nm) has been developed, in which two DNA probes whose sequences comprises the whole complementary strand to the target DNA, are used; one probe having a biotin label on the 3'-terminus and the other a Cy5 label on the 5'-terminus. After hybridization, streptavidin labeled with BHHCT-Eu(3+) was added to the hybridization solution, and in the presence of the target DNA, the sensitized emission of Cy5 was observed when the hybridized complex was irradiated at 340 nm. In the absence of the target DNA, no emission was observed from Cy5.