Rapid method for visual identification of specific DNA sequences based on DNA-tagged liposomes

• Published in: Clinical chemistry (Baltimore, Md.) Vol. 42; no. 8; pp. 1206 - 1209
• Main Authors: Rule, GS, Montagna, RA, Durst, RA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Am Assoc Clin Chem 01-08-1996; American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• Subjects: Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; DNA - analysis; DNA - chemistry; DNA Probes; Dna, deoxyribonucleoproteins; DNA, Viral - analysis; DNA, Viral - chemistry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Herpesvirus 1, Bovine - genetics; Humans; Liposomes; Maleimides; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Nucleic acids; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Temperature; Polymerase chain reaction; Molecular hybridization; Sequence specificity; Visualization; Investigation method; DNA; Liposome; Artificial membrane; Nucleic acid
• ISSN: 0009-9147; 1530-8561
• DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/42.8.1206

We describe a rapid method for visually determining specific DNA sequences at femtomole concentrations. Liposomes, encapsulating a red dye and labeled with oligonucleotide, were used in a capillary migration-sandwich hybridization assay. Capture probe was immobilized on nitrocellulose strips, and liposomes, migrating along each strip, formed a visually discernible band in the presence of target DNA. One femtomole of synthetic target sequence could be detected in < 10 min. Sufficiently stringent hybridization conditions can be used to allow the discrimination of a 10% mismatch sequence from perfectly complementary DNA. A 366-base PCR product was detected at 200 fmol.