Use of sedimentation under conditions of acidic denaturation for the determination of molecular weights of RNAs
Chumakov, I.M.
Biokhimiia 42(4): 720-725
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0320-9725 PMID: 15661 Document Number: 120342
The conditions for acidic denaturation of double stranded RNA were found. Under these conditions a limited degradation of high molecular weight viral RNA took place. This degradation was determined by the degree of fragmentation and loss of infectivity at acidic conditions. It was found that acidic denaturation of RNA in the solutions of low ionic strength was accompanied by a considerable increase of sedimentation coefficient. Under these conditions the coefficients of sedimentation and molecular weights of RNAs studied are connected by the following function S20=2.84-10(-2) Mr0.689. The conclusion has been drawn that the sedimentation under the conditions for acidic denaturation could be used both for molecular weight determination and the practical preparation of unaggregated strands of RNA.