The poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase binds cooperatively to single-stranded RNA. We have determined the minimal RNA-binding site size of the poliovirus polymerase using binding titration with oligonucleotides of increasing length. A dramatic increase in affinity was observed when the length of the oligo(U) increased from 8 to 10 nucleotides (nt), arguing that the minimal size of RNA for ...

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) causing human infectious disease have become increasingly common. Rapid and accurate identification to the species level is, therefore, critical. The Speed-Oligo Mycobacteria assay is an oligochromatographic method that was made available recently for the identification and differentiation of mycobacteria. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of ...

Although members of the RAS protein family (Ha-, Ki-, and N-RAS) are known to play a key role in normal cell proliferation and to be frequently mutated in naturally occurring tumors, it remains unclear which of these proteins functions to regulate growth in normal cells. Gene-specific oligonucleotides (oligos) against c-Ki-RAS (ISIS 6957), c-Ha-RAS (ISIS 2503), and oncogenic Ha-RAS (ISIS 2570) ...

BACKGROUND Microarray is a powerful technology enabling to monitor tens of thousands of genes in a single experiment. Most microarrays are now using oligo-sets. The design of the oligo-nucleotides is time consuming and error prone. Genome wide microarray oligo-sets are designed using as large a set of transcripts as possible in order to monitor as many genes as possible. Depending on the genome...

Double-stranded RNA of viral origin and enzymatically synthesized poly I:C act as agonists of TLR3 and induce immune responses. We have designed and synthesized double-stranded synthetic oligoribonucleotides (dsORNs) which act as agonists of TLR3. Each strand of dsORN contains two distinct segments, namely an alignment segment composed of a heteronucleotide sequence and an oligo inosine (I) or ...

Reverse transcriptase was purified from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It utilized the artificial primer-template poly(rA)-oligo(dT)12-18 more efficiently than activated calf thymus DNA, poly(rI)-oligo(dC)12-18, poly(rC)-oligo(dG)12-18, or poly(rCm)-oligo(dG)12-18. Maximum activity was observed at pH 7.0 to 7.6 in the presence of 5 mM MgCl2 and 100 mM KCl. 3'-Azido-3'-deoxythymidine tripho...