INTERACTION OF DERIVATIVES OF SHORT OLIGONUCLEOTIDES WITH NUCLEIC-ACIDS .2. A TANDEM OF SHORT OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AS A HIGHLY SENSITIVE SYSTEMFOR IDENTIFICATION OF SINGLE-BASE SUBSTITUTIONS IN TARGET DNAS

A new approach for modification of target DNAs with tandems of derivat ives of short oligonucleotides was suggested that allows highly select ive modification of perfect duplexes only. At physiological temperatur es, the efficiency of DNA modification by a dodecanucleotide alkylatin g agent was demonstrated to be the same for both perfect and mismatch- containing duplexes, whereas the tetranucleotide reagent in the presen ce of two flanking effecters alkylated with high selectivity the targe t DNA in the perfect duplex only.