Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for a biochemical method for detecting virus RNA sequences, either after isolation or directly in patient samples, by detecting ATP released from an ATP-releasing nucleotide (ARN) during synthesis. In some embodiments the virus is a coronavirus, e.g. SARS-CoV2.

Abstract: The presence of a target polynucleotide sequence of interest, including targets comprising genetic variations or a single nucleotide polymorphism, is detected by a DNA polymerization reaction, where the reaction mixture includes mixtures of nucleotides including at least one chimeric nucleoside tetraphosphate dimer ATP-linked nucleotide (ARN), in which ATP is the leaving group. DNA synthesis with ARNs is shown to be sequence specific, based on priming with a primer or template complementary to a target sequence. The released ATP is assayed in a qualitative or quantitative analysis, where one equivalent of ATP is released for every deoxynucleotide incorporated from an ARN.