Enzymatic ligation methods are useful in diagnostic detection of DNA sequences. Here we describe the investigation of nonenzymatic phosphorothioate-iodide DNA autoligation chemistry as a method for detection and identification of both RNA and DNA sequences. Combining ligation specificity with the hybridization specificity of the ligated product is shown to yield discrimination of a point mutation as high as >10(4)-fold. Unlike enzymatic ligations, this reaction is found to be equally efficient on RNA or DNA templates. The reaction is also shown to exhibit a significant level of self-amplification, with the template acting in catalytic fashion to ligate multiple pairs of probes. A strategy for fluorescence labeling of three autoligating energy transfer (ALET) probes and directly competing them for autoligation on a target sequence is described. The method is tested in several formats, including solution phase, gel, and blot assays. the ALET probe design offers direct RNA detection, combining high sequence specificity with an easily detectable color change by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).

5'-O-4,4'-Dimethoxytrityl-2'-deoxynucleosides have been synthesized in high yield by the reaction of 2'-deoxynucleosides with 4, 4'-dimethoxytrityl chloride in acetonitrile using poly (4-vinylpyridine)-costyrene (styrene 10%).

Aromatic and aliphatic sulfides have been oxidized by polymer-supported periodate ion to give sulfoxides in high yield and purity without undesirable side reaction.

A new chelating ion-exchange resin with a spacer CH2-NH-C6H4- based on a microreticular chloromethylated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer containing alpha-nitroso-beta-naphthol as a functional group has been synthesized. The sorption characteristics for manganese(II), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) have been investigated over the pH range 1.0-7.0. The resin is highly stable in acidic and alkaline medium. Iron(III) and cobalt(II); copper(II) and iron(III) are separated very effectively in a column operation by stepwise elution. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.