A Simple Method for Determination of Desoxypentose Nucleic Acid in Tissue Cultures

Abstract
A new method for the quantitative determination of DNA in tissue cells is presented. It involves dissolving the cells in NaOH and heating to hydrolyze RNA; precipitating DNA with salmine; extracting DNA from the precipitate with hot acid salt solution; and measuring the amount of DNA by means of light absorbence at 268 m[mu]. Recovery of added DNA from cell extracts and in the presence of mononucleotides is nearly 100%. Absorption spectrum studies indicate a high degree of specificity. With microtechnique the determination of less than 1 [mu]g of DNA is feasible.