Nucleic acid mediated electron transfer

• US 6,258,545 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Kayyem, Jon Faiz, Meade, Thomas J., Fraser, Scott E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zitomer, Stephanie W.
• Application Number:
  US09/545,227
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6, 435/91.2, 435/287.2, 536/24.3, 536/23.1, 536/24.33
• US Class Current: 435/6.11
• CPC Class Codes: C07H 21/00 Compounds containing two or more mononucleotide units having separate phosphate or polyphosphate groups linked by saccharide radicals of nucleoside groups, e.g. nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C07H 23/00 Compounds containing boron, silicon, or a metal, e.g. chelates, vitamin B12 esters with inorganic acids C07H11/00; metal salts, see parent compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6818 involving interaction of two or more labels, e.g. resonant energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/6825 Nucleic acid detection involving sensors
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/113 the label being electroactive, e.g. redox labels
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2565/101 Interaction between at least two labels

Abstract

The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a target sequence comprising:

a) performing a PCR reaction to form an amplified target sequence;

b) hybridizing said amplified target sequence to a single-stranded nucleic acid covalently attached to an electrode to form a hybridization complex, wherein said hybridization complex comprises at least one moiety capable of donating or accepting an electron;

c) detecting electron transfer between said moiety and said electrode as an indication of the presence or absence of said target sequence.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said PCR reaction comprises hybridizing at least one PCR primer to said target sequence, wherein said PCR primer comprises at least one moiety capable of donating or accepting an electron.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said PCR reaction comprises:

a) hybridizing at least one PCR primer to said target sequence;

b) providing nucleosides comprising a moiety capable of donating or accepting an electron;

c) incorporating said nucleosides into said amplified target sequence during said PCR reaction.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said moiety comprises a transition metal complex.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said transition metal complex comprises ruthenium.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein said transition metal complex comprises osmium.

7. A method according to claim 4 wherein said transition metal complex comprises iron.

8. A method according to claim 4 wherein said transition metal complex comprises cobalt.

9. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said moiety comprises an organic electron transfer moiety.

10. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said moiety comprises a covalently attached electron transfer moiety.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said electron transfer moiety is a transition metal complex.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said transition metal complex comprises ruthenium.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein said transition metal complex comprises osmium.

14. A method according to claim 11 wherein said transition metal complex comprises iron.

15. A method according to claim 11 wherein said transition metal complex comprises cobalt.

16. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said moiety comprises a covalently attached organic electron transfer moiety.