Extended fluorescent uridine analogues: Synthesis, photo-physical properties and selective interaction with BSA protein

The improvement in fluorescent property of 2’-deoxyuridine was brought about by the installation of (hetero)aromatic moieties at the C–5 position of uridine directly or via alkenyl/phenyl/styryl linkers to create a library of biologically useful fluorescent nucleosides. The synthesis of these extended nucleoside analogues was carried out using Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck alkenylation reactions. A comparison of the photophysical properties allowed the identification of nucleosides 1g and 1h to exhibit the highest quantum yields in an aqueous solution. Studies on the binding interaction of the most promising fluorescent analogues, 1g and 1h, with serum albumin proteins showed excellent selectivity towards BSA protein over α-amylase. Docking studies were also performed to predict the specific binding site of the nucleosides to BSA.