METHOD FOR NUCLEIC ACID HYBRIDIZATION USING SINGLE-STRANDED DNA BINDING PROTEIN.

摘要

Method of nucleic acid hybridization for detecting the presence of a specific nucleic acid sequence in a population of different nucleic acid sequences using a nucleic acid probe. The nucleic acid probe hybridizes with the specific nucleic acid sequence but not with other nucleic acid sequences in the population. The method includes contacting a sample (potentially including the nucleic acid sequence) with the nucleic acid probe under hybridizing conditions in the presence of a single-stranded DNA binding protein provided in an amount which stimulates renaturation of a dilute solution (i.e., one in which the t1/2) of renaturation is longer than 3 weeks) of single-stranded DNA greater than 500 fold (i.e., to a t1/2 of less than 60 min, preferably less than 5 min, and most preferably about 1 min) in the absence of nucleotide triphosphates.