EFFECTS OF MECHANICAL SHEAR ON GENETIC ACTIVITY OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS DNA

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Abstract
DNA, extracted from Bacillus subtilis by lysozyme lysis and purified by shaking with chloroform-octanol and ribonuclease treatment, is heterogeneous in its physical and genetic size. The larger fragments appear to have the greatest biological activity. The DNA can be sheared mechanically, resulting in a class of molecules possessing a lower sedimentation value, reduced viscosity, and a decreased genetic complement Their physical properties suggest that the sheared DNA molecules are one-half their original size.