A Physical Characterization of Mitochondrial DNA

Author: Blair, Donald George

Year: 1967

Degree: Bachelor's thesis

Advisor: Vinograd, Jerome Rubin

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Chemistry

DOI: 10.7907/qedz-cp72

Abstract

A physical characterization of L. Pictus Sea Urchin mitochondrial DNA using electron microscopy and analytical ultracontrifugation is described. The mitochondrial DNA., known to be circular, is found to have a length of 4.4µ and a molecular weight of 10.1 x 106. Sedimentation analyses show two distinct components. At pH 8.0 the corrected velocities are found to be 20 S and 27 S, while at pH 12.5 the fast component has a sedimentation velocity of 70 S. Bouyant density analysis shows the mitochondrial DNA. has a bouyant density of 1.703 at pH 8.Q. The single strands of the DNA are shown to be of different bouyant densities, 1.758 and 1.762, at pH 12.51. The fast component in sedimentation analysis is found to be unstable. at pH 12.5, degrading to single strands in about four hours.

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