Wheat DNA: Study of the heavy satellite in Ag +–Cs 2SO 4 density gradient

Abstract

Two DNA satellites can be observed in the wheat “Capitole” DNA centrifuged in an Ag+–Cs2SO4 density gradient. The heavy satellite (ϱ = 1.56 g/ml) is isolated and some of its molecular properties are analysed. It bands in neutral CsCl at the same density than the bulk DNA (ϱ = 1.702 g/ml) and renatures easily after thermal denaturation. The low molecular weight (300,000 daltons) and the structure of this satellite are discussed.