Effect of alkylation on the secondary structure of DNA

Abstract
S1 nuclease hydrolysis and benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE-cellulose (BND-cellulose) chromatography were used to demonstrate that alkylation [such as caused by anticancer drugs and carcinogens] of [calf thymus] DNA by dimethyl sulfate at neutral pH leads to the production of partially denaturated molecules under conditions where no significant depurination occurs. DNA was alkylated with increasing concentrations of the alkylating agent, and subjected to enzymatic degradation and binding to BND cellulose. An increasing degree of DNA hydrolysis and adherence to BND cellulose was seen. On hydroxyapatite chromatography the alkylated DNA still eluted at the position of double-stranded molecules suggesting the presence of partially denatured regions. The presence of salt had a preventive effect on such denaturation.

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