Patent ID: 6048974
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: C07H,C12N,C12Q

Abstract:
An oligonucleotide clamp for specifically binding to a target polynucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide clamp is defined by the formula:X--OL1--G--OL2--Ywherein:OL1 and OL2 are oligonucleotides specific for the target polynucleotide;G is a hinge region which links OL1 to OL2 so as to permit specific hybridization of OL1 and OL2 to their respective target sequences; andX and Y are binding moieties such that a stable covalent linkage is formed between X and Y so as to topologically link the oligonucleotide clamp to the target polynucleotide whenever X and Y are brought into juxtaposition by specific binding of OL1 and OL2 to the target polynucleotide.