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The selective monitoring of G‐quadruplex (G4) structures in living cells is important to elucidate their functions and reveal their value as diagnostic or therapeutic targets. Here we report a fluorogenic probe (CV2) able to selectively light‐up parallel G4 DNA over antiparallel topologies. CV2 was constructed by conjugating the excimer‐forming CV dye with a peptide sequence (l‐Arg‐l‐Gly‐glutaric acid) that specifically recognizes G4s. CV2 forms self‐assembled, red excimer‐emitting nanoaggregates in aqueous media, but specific binding to G4s triggers its disassembly into rigidified monomeric dyes, leading to a dramatic fluorescence enhancement. Moreover, selective permeation of CV2 stains G4s in mitochondria over the nucleus. CV2 was employed for tracking the folding and unfolding of G4s in living cells, and for monitoring mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. These properties make CV2 appealing to investigate the possible roles of mtDNA G4s in diseases that involve mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanovinylene, Excimer, Fluorescent Probes, G-Quadruplex, Self-Assembly Keywords: Cyanovinylene; Excimer; Fluorescent Probes; G-Quadruplex; Self-Assembly EN Cyanovinylene Excimer Fluorescent Probes G-Quadruplex Self-Assembly 1 1 1 01/11/23 20230116 NES 230116 B A self-assembled peptidyl b fluorogenic probe ( B CV2 b ) able to selectively light up parallel G4 DNA over antiparallel topologies is presented by Jeehyeon Bae, Youngmi Kim, and co-workers in their Research Article (e202215049). B CV2 b allows for the selective staining of G4s in mitochondria over the nucleus in living cells and is further employed for tracking the folding and unfolding of G4s in living cells, and for monitoring mitochondrial DNA damage. [Extracted from the article]