Assays for evaluating the function of rna helicases

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for detecting the release of a single-stranded RNA from an RNA duplex which comprises admixing an RNA helicase with the RNA duplex under conditions permitting the RNA helicase to unwind the RNA duplex and release single-stranded RNA. wherein the RNA duplex comprises a first RNA having a first label attached thereto and a second RNA, such first label being capable of producing a luminescent energy pattern when the first RNA is present in the RNA duplex which differs from the luminescent energy pattern produced when the first RNA is not present in the RNA duplex, subjecting the admixture to conditions which permit (i) the RNA helicase to unwind the RNA duplex and release single-stranded RNA, and (ii) the first label to produce luminescent energy. and detecting a change in the luminescent energy pattern produced by the first label so as to thereby detect release of single-stranded RNA from the RNA duplex.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.