N4-(6-aminohexyl)cytidine and -deoxycytidine nucleotides can be used to label DNA.

Bisulfite is known to catalyze transamination between cytidine derivatives and amines. Using 1,6-diaminohexane we describe the synthesis and recovery of the 5'-triphosphates of N4-(6-aminohexyl)cytidine and -deoxycytidine (dahCTP). Both may be incorporated into DNA by nick translation with DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli to provide reactive sites for the attachment of immunological or other labels. Biotinyl dahCTP is actively incorporated into DNA by the same system and can be detected by the binding of streptavidin complexed to an indicator enzyme such as acid phosphatase. Such labeled DNA is a suitable nonradioactive probe for detection of related sequences by hydridization.