Analysis of Pseudouridine by Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract
Fluorescence spectral properties of pseudouridine, an important biological indicator, have been measured for the first time in this study. The fluorescence quantum yield is maximal in aqueous solution with pH values above 9 with spectral properties characteristic of 5 alkyl substituted uracil derivatives. Chromatographic analysis shows the fluorescence is associated only with the pseudouridine peak. The concentration dependence of fluorescence is linear from 4 to 45 micromolar at pH 11.5. The excitation maximum is about 295 nm and the emission is broad with a maximum at about 390 nm. Addition of pseudouridine to urine extracts gives a linear increase in fluorescence with increasing pseudouridine concentration.