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An apparent discrepancy between chain length and electrophoretic mobility of restriction fragments: a case of human mitochondrial DNA

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Summary

DNA sequence analysis and electrophoresis in denaturing gel revealed that a 60 base pair insertion which had been previously postulated on the basis of native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of mitochondrial DNA from Japanese (Horai and Matsunaga 1986) did not exist at all. Unusual behavior of certain restriction fragments in native polyacrylamide gels apparently resulted in what appeared to be an insertion. Further study revealed that this behavior is most likely due to secondary structures of the fragments. The results of the present study suggest that adequate care should be taken when assessing molecular weights of restriction fragments by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Human Genetics, National Institute of Genetics, 411, Mishima, Shizuoka-ken, Japan

    Satoshi Horai & Ei Matsunaga

  2. Laboratory of Mutagenesis, National Institute of Genetics, 411, Mishima, Shizuoka-ken, Japan

    Tadashi Inoue

Authors
  1. Satoshi Horai
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  2. Tadashi Inoue
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  3. Ei Matsunaga
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Horai, S., Inoue, T. & Matsunaga, E. An apparent discrepancy between chain length and electrophoretic mobility of restriction fragments: a case of human mitochondrial DNA. Hum Genet 75, 73–74 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00273844

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00273844

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