Antisense oligonucleotides have been used to study the structure and function of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complexes and were adapted and modified for the purification of a variety of RNPs. We describe methods for recombinant expression and reconstitution of catalyti-cally active human telomerase and the purification of native and recombinant telomerase using antisense affinity oligonucleotides. The purification procedure involves binding of the RNP complex to NeutrAvidin beads via a biotinylated 2′-O-methyl (2′-OMe) RNA oligonucleotide complementary to the RNA subunit. The complex is eluted from the beads through competition with a displacement oligonucleotide. Thus, the purified RNP is eluted under mild conditions, retaining its catalytic activity.
