SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC BINDING AND CLEAVAGE OF DUPLEX DNA BY A RADIOIODINATED, INTERCALATOR-LINKED, TRIPLEX-FORMING OLIGONUCLEOTIDE

Applications of oligodeoxynucleotides to modulate gene expression have been the subject of much recent research. We have sought to develop a method to permanently inactivate a gene, or potentially kill cells co ntaining abnormal genes. In this report, we show that a DNA intercalat or conjugated to a triplex forming oligonucleotide can be labeled with an Auger electron emitting radioisotope, can cleave its duplex DNA ta rget, and can specifically bind the target sequence contained in a tot al of 10 kilobases of irrelevant DNA.