Oligodeoxynucleotide probes with multiple labels linked to the 4'-position of thymidine monomers : excellent duplex stability and detection sensitivity

Abstract A modified thymidine phosphoramidite monomer 1 has been synthesized bearing a 4′-linker arm terminating in a protected primary amine. This monomer has been incorporated once, three and four times, respectively, into short oligodeoxynucleotide probes targeting a specific sequence in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . These probes, following standard biotinylation, retained their ability to form hybrid duplex DNA structures and the two multiply labeled probes provided a stronger detection signal than the mono biotinylated probe.