Method and substances for isolating mirnas

Abstract

A capture probe suitable for use with a method for isolating miRNAs. A method for isolating an miRNA of interest from a sample comprising the miRNA of interest comprising providing the capture probe. A method for identifying an miRNA of interest.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A capture probe suitable for use with a method for isolating miRNAs, the capture probe comprising:
 a) a first adapter segment having a first adapter segment sequence, the first adapter segment comprising a 3′ end and a 5′ end;   b) a second adapter segment having a second adapter segment sequence, the second adapter segment comprising a 3′ end and a 5′ end; and   c) a microRNA binding segment having a microRNA binding segment sequence, the microRNA binding segment having a 3′ end and a 5′ end;   where the microRNA binding segment is substantially complementary to, and capable of hybridizing to, one or more than one microRNA of interest by Watson-Crick base pairing;   where the 5′ end of the first adapter segment is connected to the 3′ end of the microRNA binding segment; and   where the 3′ end of the second adapter segment is connected to the 5′ end of the microRNA binding segment.   
     
     
         2 . The capture probe of  claim 1 , comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of one or more than one type of polynucleotide, one or more than one type of polynucleotide analog, and a combination of one or more than one type of polynucleotide and polynucleotide analog. 
     
     
         3 . The capture probe of  claim 1 , where the first adapter segment, or the second adapter segment, or both the first adapter segment and the second adapter segment further comprise a sequence that is a polynucleotide synthesis promoter motif for a polynucleotide polymerase, or that is complementary to a polynucleotide synthesis promoter motif for a polynucleotide polymerase. 
     
     
         4 . The capture probe of  claim 3 , where the polynucleotide synthesis promoter motif is a motif for a polynucleotide synthesis promoter selected from the group consisting of T7, SP6, a T3 DNA dependent RNA polymerase, a type 2 RNA polymerase of  E. coli  and single stranded DNA dependent N4 RNA polymerase. 
     
     
         5 . The capture probe of  claim 1 , where the first adapter segment, or the second adapter segment, or both the first adapter segment and the second adapter segment further comprise a restriction site motif. 
     
     
         6 . The capture probe of  claim 1 , where the first adapter segment, or the second adapter segment, or both the first adapter segment and the second adapter segment further comprise a solid phase binding group to immobilize the capture probe to a solid phase.