Patent ID: 6811986
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A process for detecting nucleotide mismatches comprising:contacting a first oligonucleotide, comprising first and second segments, with a second oligonucleotide wherein said second oligonucleotide comprises a first complementary segment, a second complementary segment, and a third segment and wherein said second oligonucleotide also comprises a phosphorothioate at its 5â€²-terminus, and wherein said first and second complementary segments of said second oligonucleotide are complementary to the first and second segments of said first oligonucleotide wherein said first oligonucleotide segment may contain a mismatched nucleotide, and wherein said third segment is not complementary to said first oligonucleotide, and wherein said contacting results in hybridization of said first and second segments with said first and second complementary segments to form a complex in which the 5â€²- and 3â€²-ends of said second oligonucleotide are adjacent to each other, and the 3â€²-terminal nucleotide of said second oligonucleotide is opposite a mismatched nucleotide of said first oligonucleotide when such mismatched nucleotide is present, contacting said hybridized complex with a ligation catalyst under conditions promoting ligation of the 5â€²- and 3â€²-ends of said second oligonucleotide in said hybridized complex only when said mismatch is not present, and determining formation of ligated second oligonucleotide wherein reduced or non-formation thereof determine the presence of a nucleotide mismatch.