DNA hairpins containing a diaminostilbene derivative as a photoinduced electron donor for probing the effects of single-base mismatches on excess electron transfer in DNA.

To investigate the effects of local structural disorder induced by a single-base mismatch on excess electron transfer (EET) in DNA, a novel hairpin DNA containing diaminostilbene (DAS) as a photoinducible electron donor has been developed. It was clearly demonstrated that EET efficiency depends on the electron injection modes from the electron donors and redox properties of the mismatched bases.