EP0223618A2

Automatable process for nucleotide sequencing.

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for determining the nucleotide sequence of DNA and RNA molecules. The method is automatable and avoids the use of radioactive labels and gel electrophoresis. The method is also adaptable for introducing site-specific mutations in DNA and RNA molecules.

EP0223618A2, drawing sheet 1
Sheet 1 of 5

Term

Term ended

Projected expiry passed 16 July 2006, 20.2 years ago.

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12 claims: 2 independent, 10 dependent

  1. 1
    A method for determining the base sequence of nucleotides comprising:(a) adding an activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor having a known nitrogenous base to a reaction mixture comprising a template-­directed nucleotide polymerase and a single-­stranded polynucleotide template hybridized to a complementary oligonucleotide primer so that the primer is at least one nucleotide residue shorter than the template at the 3'-end of the primer under reaction conditions which allow incorporation of the activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor onto the primer at the 3'-end of the primer provided the nitrogenous base of the activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor is complementary to the nitrogenous base of the unpaired nucleotide residue of the template;and (b) detecting whether or not the nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor was incorporated into the primer strand.
  2. 11
    A method for the site-specific mutagenesis of a nucleotide, comprising:(a) adding an activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor having a known nitrogenous base to a reaction mixture comprising a template-­directed nucleotide polymerase and a single-­stranded polynucleotide template having a known sequence hybridized with a primer that is at least one nucleotide residue shorter than the template at the 3'-end of the primer under reaction conditions which allow incorporation of the activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor onto the primer at the 3'-end of the primer provided the nitrogenous base of the activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor is complementary to the nitrogenous base of the unpaired nucleotide residue of the template;and (b) detecting the incorporation of the 5'-triphosphate precursors by separating any unincorporated precursor from the reaction mixture and detecting the relative amount of unincorporated nucleotides in the separated component;(c) repeating steps 11(a) and 11(b) until the primer is elongated up to the nucleotide residue on the template preceding the residue which is to be mutagenized;(d) adding an analog of a nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursor having a base comprising the desired mutation which will mis-pair with the template under conditions which allow incorporation of the analog into the primer strand;and (e) detecting the incorporation of the analog by separating any unincorporated analogs from the reaction mixture and detecting the relative amount of unincorporated analogs in the separated component;and (f) adding activated nucleoside 5'-triphosphate precursors comprising a mixture of all four bases to the reaction mixture so that the synthesis of the mutagenized nucleotide is completed.