Synthesis and antibody-mediated detection of oligonucleotides containing multiple 2,4-dinitrophenyl reporter groups

A series of non-nucleoside-based 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) phosphoramidites have been prepared and used in the multiple labelling of oligonucleotides during solid-phase synthesis. The length of spacer arm between the DNP label and the oligonucleotide phosphate backbone, and the number of attached DNP groups have both been varied in order to determine the optimum conditions for anti-DNP antibody binding. Detection using enzyme-linked colorimetric techniques showed sensitivity equivalent to that obtainable using biotinylated oligonucleotides.