Affinity eletrophoretic detection of primary amino groups in nucleic acids: Application to modified bases of tRNA and to aminoacylation

✍ Scribed by Gabor L. Igloi

• Book ID: 102988844
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 1020 KB
• Volume: 206
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0003-2697
• DOI: 10.1016/0003-2697(92)90379-l

✦ Synopsis

Thiolation of primary amino groups in tRNA with the heterobifunctional reagent N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate gives rise to species which are retarded during electrophoresis in organomercury-containing polyacrylamide gels. Since such amino groups occur, as far as is known, only as part of the modified bases 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine and N-2-(5-amino-5-carboxypentyl)cytidine or as the alpha-amino group of aminoacylated tRNAs, this extension of the principle of affinity electrophoresis can be used for the detection and analysis of a specific functional group in both single tRNA species and in a mixed population. The strength of the interaction may be quantified and provides information on the chemical environment/conformation of the derivatized bases.