Terminal Protection of Small Molecule-Linked DNA for Small Molecule–Protein Interaction Assays

• Main Authors: Cui Hu, Zhan Wu, Hao Tang, Li-Juan Tang, Ru-Qin Yu, Jian-Hui Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: protein–ligand interaction; terminal protection; small molecule-linked DNA; signal amplification; nuclease
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/15/4/5221

Methods for the detection of specific interactions between diverse proteins and various small-molecule ligands are of significant importance in understanding the mechanisms of many critical physiological processes of organisms. The techniques also represent a major avenue to drug screening, molecular diagnostics, and public safety monitoring. Terminal protection assay of small molecule-linked DNA is a demonstrated novel methodology which has exhibited great potential for the development of simple, sensitive, specific and high-throughput methods for the detection of small molecule–protein interactions. Herein, we review the basic principle of terminal protection assay, the development of associated methods, and the signal amplification strategies adopted for performance improving in small molecule–protein interaction assay.