| abstract |
A method of detecting nucleic acid sequences and enzyme-labelled reagents for use therein. According to the invention sample polynucleotide is first hybridised with a polynucleotide probe comprising a nucleic acid seuqence complementary to that which is to be detected, and having a polynucleotide tail, preferably a single stranded poly(dA) or poly(dT) tail. Following attachment of the probe to the sample, an enzyme-containing marker, is attached to the probe, the marker comprising a polynucleotide having a single-stranded portion, to the base groups of which is or are attached one or more enzymatically active groups, and a polynucleotide tail which can be attached to the probe by annealing or hybridisation. Preferably the marker has a single-stranded polynucleotide tail complementary to that on the probe whereby the marker can be attached to the probe by a second hybridisation step. Presence of the sequence to be detected is confirmed by testing the labelled sample for any enzyme related activity. |