Patent ID: 6573045
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method for determining whether a test compound binds to a target RNA, the Sethod comprising the steps of:(a) contacting the test compound with a pair of indicator molecules comprising a reporter labelled with a donor group or an acceptor group and the target RNA labelled with a complementary acceptor or donor group, wherein said reporter is not an oligonucleotide that has a sequence which is able to hybridize via Watson-Crick base-pairing under stringent conditions to an unfolded target RNA, the pair being capable of binding to each other in an orientation that pennits the donor group to come into sufficient proximity to the acceptor group to permit fluorescent resonance energy transfer and/or quenching to take place; and (b) measuring the fluorescence of the target RNA and the reporter molecule in the presence of the test compound and comparing this value to the fluorescence of a standard; thereby determining whether said test compound binds said target RNA.