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Effects of Viscosity and Refractive Index on the Emission and Diffusion Properties of Alexa Fluor 405 Using Fluorescence Correlation and Lifetime Spectroscopies

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Abstract

Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) studies of the interaction of polymers or proteins in solution are strongly affected by the viscosity and refractive index of the medium, and the effects are likely to be more significant with the use of short wavelength excitation (e.g., 405 nm diode lasers). Failing to account for these issues can lead to incorrect measurement of average size, conformational changes, and dynamic behaviour of polymers and proteins. Steady-state, time-resolved, and FCS measurements of Alexa 405 in glycerol:water mixtures were performed to determine its suitability for FCS measurements with 405 nm excitation. The effects of the refractive index and viscosity on the diffusion coefficient and photophysical parameters (lifetime and relative quantum yield) of the fluorophore were determined. Alexa 405 lifetime decreased from 3.55 ns in water to 3.25 ns in a 50:50 glycerol:water mixture, while its diffusion coefficient dropped from 333 ± 16 to 44 ± 1 µm2s− 1. Lifetime data collected from micromolar solutions of Alexa 405 did however also suggest that as solvent polarity decreased, aggregates (excimers) were formed as evidenced by the appearance of a rising edge in the decay plots. The interdependence between lifetime, refractive index, and diffusion coefficient could be accurately fitted by a simple polynomial function indicating that the probe is well behaved and predictable in the glycerol:water model system. Overall, Alexa 405 is a most promising and reliable probe for FCS measurement using violet laser diode excitation sources.

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Data Availability

Data will be made available on request.

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Notes

  1. We do not have the capability to measure RI at 422 nm.

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Acknowledgements

This publication has emanated from research supported in part by a research grant from CAPES (Grant No. BEX 1415-15-8) and from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) which was co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant number (14/IA/2282, Advanced Analytics for Biological Therapeutic Manufacture, to AGR). The FCS instrumentation was provided under an Irish Health Research Board Equipment Grant (EQ/2004/29).

Funding

This publication has emanated from research supported in part by a research grant from CAPES (Grant No. BEX 1415-15-8 to CVZ) and from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) which was co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant number (14/IA/2282, Advanced Analytics for Biological Therapeutic Manufacture, to AGR). The FCS instrumentation was provided under an Irish Health Research Board Equipment Grant (EQ/2004/29).

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  1. Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory, School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland ,Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 CF50, Ireland

    Camila van Zanten, Dzmitry Melnikau & Alan G. Ryder

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  1. Camila van Zanten
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van Zanten, C., Melnikau, D. & Ryder, A.G. Effects of Viscosity and Refractive Index on the Emission and Diffusion Properties of Alexa Fluor 405 Using Fluorescence Correlation and Lifetime Spectroscopies. J Fluoresc 31, 835–845 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-021-02719-y

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