A new method for the isolation of deoxyribonucleic acids: evidence on the nature of bonds between deoxyribonucleic acid and protein

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Abstract
DNA can be liberated from mammalian tissues by the action of certain salt solutions and phenol. Neither alone effected the release of DNA. The effective anions have strong interactions with proteins or the ability to form metal complexes. DNA can be freed completely from RNA by treatment with ribonuclease and precipitation with 2-ethoxyethanol. DNA can be freed completely from protein by the use of p-aminosalicylate and phenol; this was developed into a preparative method yielding DNA with fo) value 6340. The amino acids which remain bound to rat-liver DNA prepared with sodium benzoate bore some similarities to those in rat-liver histone, but fewer basic amino acids were present. Calf-thymus DNA and herring-sperm DNA prepared with the use of sodium dodecyl sulfate had considerably different ratios of amino acids from those present in their respective histone and protamine. DNA was absorbed by collagen treated with Cu++, CO++, FC++, M++ and Zn++ ions but not by collagen treated with Na++ or K++ ions.