Cationic conjugated polymer/DNA complexes for amplified fluorescence assays of nucleases and methyltransferases

A new method is developed for sensitive, homogeneous, and convenient assays of nucleases and methyltransferases using complexes of cationic conjugated polymers with DNA containing a fluorescein tag at the 5'-terminus (DNA-F1). The cleavage of DNA by nucleases can be monitored by fluorescence spectra by observing conjugated-polymer or fluorescein emission changes in aqueous solutions.