SplintR Ligase efficiently catalyzes the ligation of adjacent, single-stranded DNA splinted by a complementary RNA strand. This activity may enable novel approaches for characterization of miRNAs and mRNAs, including SNPs. The robust activity of the enzyme and its affinity for RNA-splinted DNA substrates (apparent Km = 1 nM) enable sub-nanomolar detection of unique RNA species within a complex mixture, making SplintR ligase a superior choice for demanding RNA detection technologies. The activity is enhanced at higher temperatures (up to 37°C), and by supplementation with 5 mM Mn2+. The reaction is inhibited by salt concentrations in excess of 100 mM. The enzyme tolerates all base pair combinations at the ligation junction, but is partially inhibited by dC/G and dG/C base pairs at the donor (phosphorylated) side ligation junction, particularly when the +2 base was also a C/G base pair.