Oligonucleotides and methods for detecting hepatitis C viral nucleic acids

• US 7,250,506 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated (Quest Diagnostics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated (Quest Diagnostics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baumann, Russell, Hamdan, Hasnah, Lewinski, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Campell; Bruce
• Assistant Examiner(s): LI, BAO Q
• Application Number:
  US10/759,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20060134632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 536/24.3
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/707 non-A, non-B Hepatitis, excluding hepatitis D

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of HCV nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting HCV nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the HCV assay.

Claims

1. An oligonucleotide having a sequence selected from the group consisting of:

2. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein said oligonuclotide is conjugated to a detectable label.

3. The oligonucleotide of claim 2, wherein the detectable label is a fluorescent dye.

4. The oligonucleotide of claim 2, wherein the detectable label is a fluorescent molecular beacon pair.

5. The oligonucleotide of claim 4, wherein the oligonucleotide is 5′

[2′

-chloro-7′

-phenyl-1,4-dichloro-6-carboxyfluorescein (VIC)]-CCG GGA GAG CCA TAG TGG TCT GCG-(SEQ. ID. NO.7) [6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)] 3′

or 5′

[6carboxyfluorescein(FAM)]-TTG GCA ACA GTG GCA TGC ACC G-(SEQ. ID. NO.

     8) [6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)]3′

.

6. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein said oligonucleotide is SEQ ID NO:

4 and SEQ ID NO;

5.

7. An oligonucleotide consisting of:

5′

-CCG GGA GAG CCA TAG TGG TCT GCG-3′

(SEQ ID NO;

     3).