Biotin-labeled synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides: chemical synthesis and uses as hybridization probes

Oligodeoxynucleotides have been selectively labeled with biotin at their 5'-termini through an aminoalkylphosphoramide linker arm by an efficient chemical method. The reactions were performed in aqueous solution on unprotected oligonucleotides and were insensitive of the sequence and length of the oligonucleotide. 5'-biotin-labeled oligonucleotides were hybridized to dot, Southern and genomic blots of target plasmid DNA immobilized on nitrocellulose filters. Detection level is about 2 fmole. There is no noticeable disturbance of the strength and selectivity of hybridization of the 5'-biotin-labeled probes in comparison with non-modified DNA.