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Comparison of RNA, single‐stranded DNA and double‐stranded DNA behavior during capillary electrophoresis in semidilute polymer solutions
Author(s) -
Todorov Todor I.,
Morris Michael D.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/1522-2683(200204)23:7/8<1033::aid-elps1033>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - nucleic acid , capillary electrophoresis , rna , dna , reptation , electrophoresis , polymer , chemistry , gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids , gel electrophoresis , chromatography , biophysics , biology , biochemistry , gene , organic chemistry
We present a study of the separation of RNA, single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) in semidilute linear hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) solution. Our results strive to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of nucleic acid migration during electrophoresis in polymer solutions under native and denaturing conditions. From a study of the dependence of mobility on chain length and applied electric field, we found that RNA and ssDNA show better separation and higher resolution over a larger range of sizes compared to dsDNA. In addition, RNA reptation without orientation extends to longer chain lengths in comparison to ssDNA, possibly as a result of different type of short‐lived secondary structure formations. Such a comparative study between nucleic acid capillary electrophoresis helps to optimize RNA separation and provides better understanding of RNA migration mechanisms in semidilute polymer solutions under denaturing conditions.