Identification of efficient fluorophores for the direct labeling of DNA via rolling circle amplification (RCA) polymerase φ29.

The enzymatic incorporation as well as the spectroscopic properties and photochemical stability of a series of fluorescent labels differing in dye class, charge, and rigidity were studied to identify new tools for signal enhancement in situ on microarrays without secondary labeling. These fluorophores were chosen to spectrally match or resemble the golden standard Cy3. With the rhodamine DY-555, that is three times more emissive than Cy3, we found a bright and stable chromophore, the spectroscopic properties of which are minimally influenced by dye microenvironment.