ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF DNA MOLECULES "STAINED" WITH HEAVY METAL SALTS | Zendy

Walther Stoeckenius | Zendy

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ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF DNA MOLECULES "STAINED" WITH HEAVY METAL SALTS

Author(s) -

Walther Stoeckenius

Publication year - 1961

Publication title -

the journal of cell biology

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 5.414

H-Index - 380

eISSN - 1540-8140

pISSN - 0021-9525

DOI - 10.1083/jcb.11.2.297

Subject(s) - uranyl acetate , nucleic acid , dna , molecule , electron microscope , biology , uranyl , metal , staining , negative stain , stain , perchlorate , biophysics , biochemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , ion , physics , optics , genetics

Single DNA molecules can be rendered visible in the electron microscope by "staining" with water-soluble salts of heavy metals. The best results were obtained with lanthanum nitrate, uranyl acetate, and lead perchlorate. The molecules appear as filaments approximately 20 A wide. Their length was not determined, but it could be shown that it varied with the molecular weight of the DNA used. The same heavy metal salts will preferentially "stain" the nucleic acid in a protein-DNA complex. Evidence is provided for the possibility of a partial separation of a double-stranded molecule into single strands on adsorption to the supporting film.

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