Split G-Quadruplexes for Capture and Detection of Nucleic Acids

Abstract

Methods of using split G-quadruplexes associated with functional tags for associating said tags to target nucleic acids. Methods include use of split G-quadruplexes associated with detection tags for the detection of target nucleic acids, and use of split G-quadruplexes associated with capture tags for detection or capture of target nucleic acids.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of associating a tag to a nucleic acid, comprising: associating the tag to a split G-quadruplex, and binding the split G-quadruplex to the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing template-directed nucleic acid synthesis of the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating step is accomplished by binding or incorporating the tag into one strand of the split G-quadruplex. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the associating step is accomplished by binding or incorporating the tag into two strands of the split G-quadruplex. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tag is an attachment chemistry, a fluorophore, a detectable enzyme, a detectable particle, or a nucleotide analog. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tag is a detection tag, a capture tag, a targeting tag, or a crosslinking tag. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the capture tag is a capture arm. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tag is associated to the split G-quadruplex by template-directed nucleic acid synthesis. 
     
     
         9 . A method of detecting a nucleic acid, comprising: associating a detection tag or capture tag to a split G-quadruplex, binding the split G-quadruplex to the nucleic acid, and detecting the detection tag or capture tag. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the capture tag is detected by binding a detectable capture target to the capture tag, and detecting the detectable capture target. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising binding the nucleic acid to a solid surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising: associating a detection tag or capture tag to a split G-quadruplex, binding the capture tag if present to a detectable capture target, binding the split G-quadruplex to a nucleic acid, binding the nucleic acid to a solid surface, washing the solid surface to remove unbound molecules, and detecting the bound detection tag or detectable capture target. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the detection tag or capture tag is associated to the split G-quadruplex by template-directed nucleic acid synthesis. 
     
     
         14 . A method of capturing a nucleic acid, comprising: associating a capture tag to a split G-quadruplex, binding the split G-quadruplex to the nucleic acid, and binding the capture tag to a capture target. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the capture target is a nucleic acid, a molecule that can be detected, a molecule that can bind other molecules, or a solid surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the capture target is a solid surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the capture tag is a capture arm, and the capture target is a capture nucleic acid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising binding the capture nucleic acid to a solid surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the split G-quadruplex has a detection tag or a second capture tag capable of binding a detectable capture target. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the capture tag is associated to the split G-quadruplex by template-directed nucleic acid synthesis.