High specific radioactivity labeling of oligonucleotides with 3H-succinimidyl propionate.

An easy and rapid method for tritium labeling of deprotected oligonucleotides is proposed. The method consists in performing the reaction of commercial 3H-succinimidyl propionate with a terminal amino group of the oligonucleotide in an organic medium. High specific radioactivity labeling can be achieved with minimal radiolysis during long term storage. The synthesis of the nonradioactive congener having an identical structure to the labeled compound is also described.