Patent ID: 6811975
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: C07H

Abstract:
A method of assaying a nucleic acid, comprising:(a) contacting a solution suspected to contain said nucleic acid with a compound comprising a plurality of covalently-bound nucleosides, the compound being capable of binding to said nucleic acid; said compound having the formula: (5â€²)NUâ€”L1â€”[NUâ€”LS]nâ€”NUâ€”L2â€”NU(3â€²) wherein:each NU is, independently, a nucleoside that includes a ribose or deoxyribose sugar portion and a base portion; LS is a racemic phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage; n is 1-200; and L1 and L2 are independently selected such that: L1 is a Sp phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, L2 is a racemic phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, and said compound has greater than about 60% stereoisomeric purity; or L1 and L2 both are Sp phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages and said compound has greater than about 60% stereoisomeric purity; or L1 is a Rp phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, L2 is a racemic phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, and said compound has greater than about 60% stereoisomeric purity; or L1 and L2 both are Rp phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages and said compound has greater than about 60% stereoisomeric purity; or L1 and L2, independently, have the formula CH2â€”Oâ€”NR or CH2â€”NRâ€”O wherein R is H, alkyl having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, alkynyl having 2 to about 10 carbon atoms; alkaryl having 7 to about 14 carbon atoms, aralkyl having 7 to about 14 carbon atoms; and (b) determining if said nucleic acid is present by determining if said binding has occurred.