US 5,561,043 A · Self-assembling multimeric nucleic acid constructs

Abstract

The invention is directed to constructs and compositions containing multimeric forms of nucleic acid. Multimeric nucleic acids comprise single-stranded nucleic acids attached via biotin to streptavidin and bound with a functional group. These constructs can be utilized in vivo to treat or identify diseased tissue or cells. Repeated administrations of multimeric nucleic acid compositions produce a rapid and specific amplification of nucleic acid constructs and their attached functional groups. For treatment purposes, functional groups may be toxins, radioisotopes, genes or enzymes. Diagnostically, labeled multimeric constructs may be used to identify specific targets in vivo or in vitro. Multimeric nucleic acids may also be used in nanotechnology and to create self-assembling polymeric aggregates such as membranes of defined porosity, microcircuits and many other products.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A self-assembling aggregate comprising

a construct comprising a first streptavidin or avidin molecule, having a plurality of first biotinylated single-stranded nucleic acids bound to said first streptavidin or avidin molecule;
a plurality of second biotinylated single-stranded nucleic acids bound to a second streptavidin or avidin molecule to form a multimeric nucleic acid, at least one of said second nucleic acids hybridizing with a complementary sequence of one of said first nucleic acids;
and
a functional group attached to a third single-stranded nucleic acid, said third single-stranded nucleic acid hybridizing with complementary sequence of one of said second single-stranded nucleic acids bound to said multimeric nucleic acid.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-assembling multimeric nucleic acid constructs

Life of this patent

Self-assembling multimeric nucleic acid constructs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16