Patent ID: 6518017
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: C12N

Abstract:
A method of cleaving a target RNA in a cell in culture, comprising:determining a cleavage site on a target RNA; selecting a first oligonucleotide analog that binds to said cleavage site, wherein said first oligonucleotide analog further comprises a first coupling domain; selecting a second oligonucleotide analog that binds to said cleavage site, wherein said second oligonucleotide analog further comprises an RNAse recognition region and a second coupling domain; combining said first oligonucleotide analog and said second oligonucleotide analog whereby said first coupling domain and said second coupling domain spontaneously bind together in the absence of said target RNA to form a dimer; introducing said dimer into said cell in culture; and contacting said dimer with said target RNA under conditions that form a complex and allow said dimer and target RNA complex to act as an endonuclease substrate wherein the second oligonucleotide analog only binds to the target RNA and activates an RNAse when the first and second coupling domains are bound together.