The present invention relates to means for the detection and
characterization of nucleic acid sequences, as well as variations in
nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also relates to methods for
forming a nucleic acid cleavage structure on a target sequence and
cleaving the nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner.
The structure-specific nuclease activity of a variety of enzymes is used
to cleave the target-dependent cleavage structure, thereby indicating the
presence of specific nucleic acid sequences or specific variations
thereof.
