NUCLEIC ACID ENZYMES AND COMPLEXES AND METHODS FOR THEIR USE

摘要

Provided is a method for detecting the presence of at least one target comprising (a) providing at least two or more oligonucleotide components and at least one substrate of at least a first nucleic acid complex wherein at least a first oligonucleotide component and a second oligonucleotide component are capable of self-assembly in the presence of a target to form at least a first nucleic acid enzyme which comprises a catalytically active multi-component nucleic acid enzyme with ligase activity (MNAzyme ligase), (b) contacting the two or more oligonucleotide components and two substrates with a sample putatively containing the at least one target under conditions permitting: (1) the self-assembly of said at least one catalytically active MNAzyme ligase comprising a catalytic core for ligating the two substrates and (2) the catalytic activity of said at least one MNAzyme ligase; and (c) determining the presence of the catalytic activity of said at least one MNAzyme ligase, wherein the presence of the catalytic activity is indicative of the presence of said at least one target and the catalytic activity is detectable when the MNAzyme ligase engages and ligates the two substrates.