title: Operating Cooperatively (OC) sensor for highly specific recognition of nucleic acids.
abstract: Molecular Beacon (MB) probes have been extensively used for nucleic acid analysis because of their ability to produce fluorescent signal in solution instantly after hybridization. The indirect binding of MB probe to a target analyte offers several advantages, including: improved genotyping accuracy and the possibility to analyse folded nucleic acids. Here we report on a new design for MB-based sensor, called 'Operating Cooperatively' (OC), which takes advantage of indirect binding of MB probe to a target analyte. The sensor consists of two unmodified DNA strands, which hybridize to a universal MB probe and a nucleic acid analyte to form a fluorescent complex. OC sensors were designed to analyze two human SNPs and E. coli 16S rRNA. High specificity of the approach was demonstrated by the detection of true analyte in over 100 times excess amount of single base substituted analytes. Taking into account the flexibility in the design and the simplicity in optimization, we conclude that OC sensors may become versatile and efficient tools for instant DNA and RNA analysis in homogeneous solution.
authors: Chemistry Department, College of Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
authors: Evan M
authors: EM
authors: Cornett
authors: Martin R
authors: MR
authors: O'Steen
authors: Dmitry M
authors: DM
authors: Kolpashchikov
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D001483:Base Sequence; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D009696:Nucleic Acids; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S