METHOD FOR THE NON-SPECIFIC AMPLIFICATION OF NUCLEIC ACID

摘要

The present invention is concerned with a method for generating, in a non specific manner, multiple copies of RNA from a pool of mRNA's. Such a method is of particular importance in techniques for screening the differences in expression in given cell types or in cells under specific conditions. The present invention provides a non-selective poly A mRNA labeling and amplification method, i.e. a method not encompassing cDNA synthesis. The present invention is directed to a method for amplifying RNA by creating, in a non specific manner, multiple RNA copies starting from nucleic acid containing starting material comprising a pool of mRNA's each mRNA comprising a poly-A tail, wherein the material is contacted simultaneously with an oligonucleotide comprising an oligo-dT sequence, the sequence of a promoter recognized by an RNA polymerase and a transcription initiation region which is located between the oligo-dT sequence and the sequence of the promoter, and further with an enzyme having reverse transcriptase activity, an enzyme having RNase H activity and an enzyme having RNA polymerase activity and the necessary nucleotides and the resulting reaction mixture is maintained under the appropriate conditions for a sufficient amount of time for the enzymatic processes to take place. In a preferred method of the invention the generated RNA copies made are contacted with an RNA ligase, a double stranded nucleic acid complex comprising a double stranded DNA promoter sequence that can be recognized by an RNA polymerase, whereby one strand of said complex has a stretch of RNA attached to the 5' end of one of the DNA strands, an enzyme having RNA polymerase activity, and the necessary nucleotides. The resulting reaction mixture is maintained under the appropriate conditions for a sufficient amount of time for the amplification to take place.