Towards a hydrolysis stable artificial base pair with C-glycosides†

Artificial base-pairs expand the genetic alphabet and allow for site-specific labeling, for example with fluorophores or spin labels, thereby enhancing the capabilities of biomolecular sensing. We developed CTPT3, a stable C-nucleoside pairing with NaM to form a hydrophobic base pair, and demonstrate its enzymatic incorporation into DNA/RNA and facile modification for labeling.