Abstract: The present invention comprises novel methods, compositions and kits that use N4 vRNAP deletion mutants to detect and quantify analytes comprising one or multiple target nucleic acid sequences, including target sequences that differ by as little as one nucleotide or non-nucleic acid analytes, by detecting a target sequence tag that is joined to an analyte-binding substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for using an RNA polymerase for making transcription products corresponding to a target sequence by obtaining single-stranded DNA transcription substrates that comprise a single-stranded promoter that is operably joined to a single-stranded target sequence. The invention has broad applicability for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications, such as preparing cDNA corresponding to full-length mRNA, making sense or anti-sense probes, detecting gene- or organism-specific sequences, cloning, cell signaling or making RNA for use in RNAi.