NUCLEIC-ACID LABELING EMPLOYING LANTHANIDE CHELATES

Labelling of nucleic acids with lanthanide(III) chelates is described. DNA can be labelled either enzymatically or chemically. Enzymatic lab elling of DNA can be performed with Eu-dCTP. For chemical labelling of DNA, a two-phase protocol can be used whereby it is possible to incor porate Eu(III), Sm(III) and Tb(III) chelates in DNA. In the chemical l abelling of oligonucleotides, an amino-modified phosphoramidite is use d to introduce amino groups to oligonucleotides. These amino groups ca n be labelled with lanthanide chelates.