A method for assaying a sample for target polynucleotides comprises (a) contacting the sample with a reagent under binding conditions where the reagent includes a first polynucleotide probe (I) and a second polynucleotide probe (II). (I) and (II) capable of assuming a first position where (I) and (II) are bound to each other and at least one of the probes capable of assuming a second position where the probe strand is bound to the target, (I) and (II) including a first label moiety (L1) associated with one of the probes and including a second label moiety (L2) associated with the opposite probe, L1 and L2 capable of interacting when (I) and (II) are bound to each other to produce a signal capable of detection characteristic of the probe in one of the 2 positions and (b) monitoring the sample for the signal, the presence of which is related to the presence of target in the sample. Also claimed is a method for associating an amine-reactive moiety to the 3'-terminus of a polynucleotide comprising (a) reacting the polynucleotide with an aminoalkyl deriv. of a nucleic acid in the presence of the enzyme terminal transferase, (b) reacting the amino gp. of the aminoalkyl deriv. with the amine-reactive moiety. A prefd. aminoalkyl deriv. is 8-(6-amino-hexyl)aminoadenosine -5'-triphosphate.
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