Molecular torches and their use under denaturing conditions
First Claim
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1. A molecular torch for use in detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said molecular torch comprising:
- a target binding domain comprising nucleotide base recognition groups;
a target closing domain comprising nucleotide base recognition groups, wherein said target binding domain is biased toward said target sequence, such that said target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with said target sequence than with said target closing domain under the same assay conditions, and wherein said molecular torch does not detectably hybridize under hybridization conditions to said target sequence when said target binding domain is hybridized to said target closing domain;
a label associated with said target binding domain or said target closing domain, wherein said label produces a first signal when said target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid is formed and a second signal when said target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid is not formed, said first and second signals being distinguishable; and
an unlabeled joining region comprising one or more non-nucleotide linkers, wherein said joining region joins said target binding domain and said target closing domain, and wherein said joining region facilitates the formation of a target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid in the absence of said target sequence.
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Abstract
The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.
51 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A molecular torch for use in detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said molecular torch comprising:
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a target binding domain comprising nucleotide base recognition groups; a target closing domain comprising nucleotide base recognition groups, wherein said target binding domain is biased toward said target sequence, such that said target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with said target sequence than with said target closing domain under the same assay conditions, and wherein said molecular torch does not detectably hybridize under hybridization conditions to said target sequence when said target binding domain is hybridized to said target closing domain; a label associated with said target binding domain or said target closing domain, wherein said label produces a first signal when said target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid is formed and a second signal when said target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid is not formed, said first and second signals being distinguishable; andan unlabeled joining region comprising one or more non-nucleotide linkers, wherein said joining region joins said target binding domain and said target closing domain, and wherein said joining region facilitates the formation of a target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid in the absence of said target sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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15. A method for determining the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) contacting said sample with a molecular torch comprising; a target binding domain comprising nucleotide base recognition groups; a target closing domain comprising nucleotide base recognition groups, wherein said target binding domain is biased toward said target sequence, such that said target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with said target sequence than with said target closing domain under the same assay conditions, and wherein said molecular torch does not detectably hybridize under hybridization conditions to said target sequence when said target binding domain is hybridized to said target closing domain; and an unlabeled joining region comprising one or more non-nucleotide linkers, wherein said joining region joins said target binding domain and said target closing domain, and wherein said joining region facilitates the formation of a target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid in the absence of said target sequenceb) exposing said sample to denaturing conditions, such that said target binding domain and said target closing domain do not form a stable target binding domain;
target closing domain hybridc) exposing said sample to hybridization conditions, such that a target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid is formed in the absence of said target sequence and a target binding domain;
target sequence hybrid is formed in the presence of said target sequence, wherein said target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid is more stable than said target binding domain;
target closing domain hybrid under said hybridization conditions; andd) determining whether a target binding domain;
target sequence hybrid is present in said sample as an indication of the presence or absence of said target sequence in said sample. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification