Abstract: The invention relates to oligonucleotide agents that inhibit RNase H activity of a retroid virus reverse transcriptase and are useful for inhibiting retroid virus proliferation and preventing or treating a retroid virus infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate and method for the assay of ribonuclease H activity. The substrate comprises a DNA/RNA heteroduplex molecule having fluorophore and quencher molecules in close proximity, which emit a background level of fluorescence in the absence of ribonuclease H activity due to quenching of the fluorophore as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Ribonuclease H cleavage of the heteroduplex results in an increase in fluorescence emission due to the destabilization and separation of the DNA and RNA molecules and their associated fluorophore and quencher molecules. The assay method of the present invention is suitable for use in screening (e.g. high throughput screening) for modulators, e.g. inhibitors, of the ribonuclease H activity associated with, for example, reverse transcriptase and ribonuclease H enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate and method for the assay of ribonuclease H activity. The substrate comprises a DNA/RNA heteroduplex molecule having fluorophore and quencher molecules in close proximity, which emit a background level of fluorescence in the absence of ribonuclease H activity due to quenching of the fluorophore as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Ribonuclease H cleavage of the heteroduplex results in an increase in fluorescence emission due to the destabilization and separation of the DNA and RNA molecules and their associated fluorophore and quencher molecules. The assay method of the present invention is suitable for use in screening (e.g. high throughput screening) for modulators, e.g. inhibitors, of the ribonuclease H activity associated with, for example, reverse transcriptase and ribonuclease H enzymes.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides having an internal acyclic linker residue, and the preparation and uses thereof, are described. Such uses include the preparation of acyclic linker-containing antisense oligonucleotides, and their use for the prevention or depletion of function of a target nucleic acid of interest, such as RNA, in a system. Such a prevention or depletion of function includes, for example, the prevention or inhibition of the expression, reverse transcription and/or replication of the target nucleic acid, as well as the cleavage/degradation of the target nucleic acid. Accordingly, an oligonucleotide of the invention is useful for analytical and therapeutic methods and uses in which the function of a target nucleic acid is implicated, as well as a component of commercial packages corresponding to such methods and uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to oligonucleotide agents that inhibit RNase H activity of a retroid virus reverse transcriptase and are useful for inhibiting retroid virus proliferation and preventing or treating a retroid virus infection.