How does the MPEP define “AP sites” or “abasic sites” in nucleotide sequences?
The MPEP 2412.03(d) addresses “AP sites” or “abasic sites” in the context of nucleotide sequences. According to the MPEP:
“[A nucleotide can be] lacking a purine or pyrimidine nucleobase when the nucleotide is part of a nucleotide sequence, referred to as an ‘AP site’ or an ‘abasic site’.”
In other words, an AP site or abasic site is a location in a nucleotide sequence where the nucleobase is missing, but the sugar-phosphate backbone remains intact. This definition is important for patent applications involving DNA damage, repair mechanisms, or certain synthetic nucleic acid constructs where abasic sites may be intentionally introduced.
The inclusion of AP sites in the definition of nucleotides ensures that sequences containing these structures can be properly disclosed and claimed in patent applications related to biotechnology and genetic engineering.
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