Monovalent Streptavidin that Senses Oligonucleotides

Abstract

We report a straightforward chemical route to monovalent streptavidin, a valuable reagent for imaging. The one-step process is based on a (tris)biotinylated-oligonucleotide blocking three of streptavidin's four biotin binding sites. Further, the complex is highly sensitive to single-base differences -whereby perfectly matched oligonucleotides trigger dissociation of the biotinstreptavidin interaction at higher rates than single-base mismatches. Unique properties and ease of synthesis open wide opportunities for practical applications in imaging and biosensing.