The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing an aliphatic amino group at the 5′ terminus: synthesis of fluorescent DNA primers for use in DNA sequence analysis

1985/01/01 by Lloyd M. Smith, Steven Fung, Michael W. Hunkapiller +2 · 337 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · #DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms #Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques #Oligonucleotide #Biology #Primer (cosmetics) #DNA #Biochemistry #Sequence (biology) #Fluorescence #Oligonucleotide synthesis #Sequence analysis #Molecular biology #Combinatorial chemistry #Chemistry

paper · open access · doi:10.1093/nar/13.7.2399

published in Nucleic Acids Research 13(7), 2399-2412 (Oxford University Press)

openalex publication_date 1985/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/23

Abstract

A rapid and versatile method has been developed for the synthesis of oligonucleotides which contain an aliphatic amino group at their 5' terminus. This amino group reacts specifically with a variety of electrophiles, thereby allowing other chemical species to be attached to the oligonucleotide. This chemistry has been utilized to synthesize several fluorescent derivatives of an oligonucleotide primer used in DNA sequence analysis by the dideoxy (enzymatic) method. The modified primers are highly fluorescent and retain their ability to specifically prime DNA synthesis. The use of these fluorescent primers in DNA sequence analysis will enable DNA sequence analysis to be automated.

Citations

• DNA sequencing with chain-terminating inhibitors

Cited by

• The sequence of sequencers: The history of sequencing DNA
• A glimpse into past, present, and future DNA sequencing
• Leroy Hood [wikipedia]