NUCLEIC ACID LIGAND INTERACTION ASSAYS

摘要

Method for determining the relative binding affinities of various ligands to various nucleic acid sequences, particularly in double-stranded form, are described. In a direct binding assay, the effect of adding increasing amounts of a ligand on a signal generated by two "indicator" oligonucleotides is observed. Also described is a competitive binding assay, in which a competitor oligonucleotide is added to an indicator duplex having a ligand bound thereto. The assays allow the rapid and convenient determination of nucleic acid binding specificities and base pair determinants of specificity of particular ligands.