Sensitized photomodification of single-stranded DNA by a binary system of oligonucleotide conjugates

A photoactivatable binary system of oligonucleotide conjugates that form reactive species when assembling on a target nucleotide sequence has been developed. The binary system consists of two oligonucleotides. One contains a photosensitizing group, and the second contains a photoreactive group. Binding of the oligonucleotides to adjacent sequences in the target nucleic acid brings the groups in contact, which allows transfer of the absorbed energy from the sensitizer to the reagent and triggers crosslinking of the reagent to the target. One advantage of the binary system is the improved specificity, which is determined by independent binding of two oligonucleotides to the target sequence. Another advantage is the very high efficiency of the reaction achieved because each molecule of the target-bound sensitizing conjugate can activate many photoreactive oligonucleotide conjugate molecules bound to the target sequence.