Chromatography of nucleic acids on hydroxyapatite III. Chromatography of RNA and polyribonucleotides

Abstract

The chromatographic behaviour on hydroxyapatite columns of ribosomal and viral RNA, of transfer RNA and of several biosynthetic polyribonucleotides has been investigated in view of obtaining information useful for our understanding of the relationship between the secondary structure of polynucleotides and their elution molarity. Single-stranded, random-coiled polynucleotides are eluted at lower phosphate molarities than double-stranded, rigid polynucleotides. All double-stranded polynucleotides are eluted at about the same phosphate molarity, 0.20–0.22 M. Triple-stranded 2 poly U-poly A is eluted at a higher molarity (about 0.45 M). The chromatographic behaviour of bases, nucleosides, nucleoside mono- and polyphosphates, and oligonucleotides has also been studied, mainly for elucidating the mechanism of adsorption of polynucleotides on hydroxyapatite.