SEQUENCE DETERMINATION IN DEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDE SERIES BY STEPWISE CHEMICAL DEGRADATION

Studies toward a method for the determination of base sequence in deoxyribooligonucleotides are described. Model compounds are oxidized at the 3′-hydroxyl end, terminal nucleobase and the next lower nucleotide with 3′-terminal phosphate are liberated, the latter is removed with phosphomonoesterase, and the cycle is repeated. As currently constituted, interference caused by depurination is suppressed and efficacy with increasing chain length is demonstrated. Shortcomings of the method include rapidly decaying signal strength. © 1968, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.