Nucleic acid-amplified immunoassay probes
First Claim
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1. A molecular probe for use as a signal amplifier in immunoassays comprising:
- (a) a first domain (A) which is a polypeptide and functions as an antibody specific for a known antigen;
(b) a second domain (B) which is a double-stranded polynucleotide capable of functioning as a promoter for a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme activity; and
(c) a third domain (C) which is either a single- or double-stranded polynucleotide with a random sequence, whose transcript is incapable of being translated into a polypeptide, and is directly 3'"'"' to the second domain, such that the third domain is a template for the promoter activity of the second domain, wherein said first domain is covalently conjugated to said second domain and said second domain is covalently conjugated to said third domain.
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Abstract
In one aspect of this invention, various protein/nucleic acid hybrid probes are described which can be used to amplify the detectable signal in immunoassays. The protein moiety is capable of functioning either as an antibody or an antigen. The nucleic acid moiety serves as a signal amplifier. In another aspect, various methods of amplifying the detectable signal in immunoassays by use of the hybrid probes and related polynucleotide probes are disclosed.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A molecular probe for use as a signal amplifier in immunoassays comprising:
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(a) a first domain (A) which is a polypeptide and functions as an antibody specific for a known antigen; (b) a second domain (B) which is a double-stranded polynucleotide capable of functioning as a promoter for a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme activity; and (c) a third domain (C) which is either a single- or double-stranded polynucleotide with a random sequence, whose transcript is incapable of being translated into a polypeptide, and is directly 3'"'"' to the second domain, such that the third domain is a template for the promoter activity of the second domain, wherein said first domain is covalently conjugated to said second domain and said second domain is covalently conjugated to said third domain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A molecular probe for use as a signal amplifier in immunoassays comprising:
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(a) a first domain (A) comprising a polypeptide capable of functioning as an antibody which binds specifically to a known analyte; and (b) a second domain (M) comprising a multiplicity of single-stranded oligonucleotide subunits that are capable of hybridizing specifically to a single-stranded nucleic acid of interest, wherein said second domain (M) consists of a branched polynucleotide having a minimum of three termini, which are of the 3'"'"' or 5'"'"' type, and at least one covalent branch point, wherein the multiplicity of single-stranded oligonucleotide subunits are bonded directly or indirectly only via covalent bonds and wherein said first domain is covalently conjugated to said second domain. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A molecular probe for use as a signal amplifier in immunoassays comprising:
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(a) a first domain (A) comprising a polypeptide capable of functioning as an antibody which binds specifically to a known analyte; and (b) a second domain (M) comprising a multiplicity of single-stranded oligonucleotide subunits that are capable of hybridizing specifically to a single-stranded nucleic acid of interest, wherein said multiplicity of subunits comprises at least two identical subunits, wherein said second domain (M) consists of a branched polynucleotide having a minimum of three termini, which are of the 3'"'"' or 5'"'"' type, and at least one covalent branch point, wherein the multiplicity of single-stranded oligonucleotide subunits are bonded directly or indirectly only via covalent bonds and wherein said first domain is covalently conjugated to said second domain. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A molecular probe for use as a signal amplifier in immunoassays comprising:
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(a) a first domain (A) comprising a polypeptide capable of functioning as an antibody which binds specifically to a known analyte; and (b) a second domain (M) comprising a multiplicity of single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide subunits that are capable of hybridizing specifically to a single-stranded nucleic acid of interest, wherein said second domain (M) consists of a branched polynucleotide having a minimum of three termini, which are of the 3'"'"' or 5'"'"' type, and at least one covalent branch point, wherein the multiplicity of single-stranded oligonucleotide subunits are bonded directly or indirectly only via covalent bonds and wherein said first domain is covalently conjugated to said second domain. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification