Rapid fluorescence detection of binding to nucleic acid drug targets labelled with highly fluorescent nucleotide base analogs

摘要

The present invention is a method of identifying ligands that interact will cellular processes involved in the life-cycle of HIV. In particular, an oligonucleotide, corresponding to specific RNA sequence within an infected cell, is modified by the substitution of 2-aminopurine. As a result, interactions between the oligonucleotide and the ligand can be measured via fluorescence. This technique can be use to find inhibitors of binding between rev and its response element (RRE), dimerization initiation sequences, and topoisomerases and DNA.