Why are alpha-32P-dCTP and biotin-16-dUTP recommended as opposed to other labeled nucleotides?
Radiolabeled dCTP is the most commonly used nucleotide for radioactively labeling probes. We have formulated the buffers in our Probe Synthesis Kits (Buffer B or BL) for the cDNA GEArrays to accommodate the use of the more popular nucleotide, dCTP. If you prefer to use another radiolabeled nucleotide (such as dATP), we can provide you with our RT Buffer. It is devoid of nucleotide, and we will give you instructions to reconstitute all four nucleotides to their appropriate concentrations. Biotin-16-dUTP for the cDNA GEArrays (or biotin-16-UTP for the Oligo GEArrays) is the only commercially available biotinylated nucleotide that works well in our array assays. We have tried other biotinylated nucleotides (such as biotin-14-dCTP) and have only obtained substandard results.
