The invention provides a probe for detecting a highly ordered structural site
of a nucleic acid of a gene by specifically binding with the structural site to
generate an electrochemical response. The inventive probe comprises a cyclic ligand
containing ferrocenyl group and a DNA threading intercalating moiety, such as 1,4,5,8-tetrasubstituted
naphthalene, 9,10-disubstituted anthracene, and 1,5-disubstituted anthraquinone.
Current of the cyclic ligand is not observed due to interaction such as stacking
or so called charge transfer between ferrocenyl group and the DNA threading intercalating
moiety in conventional electrolyte. The binding of the ligand with a highly ordered
structural site of a single stranded nucleic acid, where nucleic base inserts between
the cavity of cyclic ligand, inhibits the intramolecular interaction of the ligand
to convert the ligand into its electrically active form, and as a result, current
is observed.