Microsecond time-scale discrimination among polycytidylic acid, polyadenylic acid, and polyuridylic acid as homopolymers or as segments within single RNA molecules

Published

December 1, 1999

Author(s)

M Akeson, D Branton, John J. Kasianowicz, E Brandin, D W. Deamer

Abstract

Single molecules of DNA or RNA can be detected as they are driven through a single alpha-hemolysin channel by an applied electric field. During translocation, nucleotides within the polynucleotide must pass through the channel pore in sequential single-file order because the limiting diameter of the pore can accommodate only one strand of DNA or RNA at a time. Here we demonstrate that this nanopore detector can rapidly discriminate between pyrimidine and purine segments along single RNA molecules. Nanopore detection and characterization of single molecules represents a new method for directly reading information encoded in linear polymers, and is a critical first step toward direct sequencing of individual DNA and RNA molecules.

Citation

Biophysical Journal

Volume

77

Issue

6

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

DNA, ion channels, sequencing

Citation

Akeson, M. , Branton, D. , Kasianowicz, J. , Brandin, E. and Deamer, D. (1999), Microsecond time-scale discrimination among polycytidylic acid, polyadenylic acid, and polyuridylic acid as homopolymers or as segments within single RNA molecules, Biophysical Journal (Accessed October 7, 2025)