Summary
The molecular lengths of several phage DNA's and one plasmid DNA have been measured and the molecular linear density of double stranded DNA under standard conditions has been determined. This determination was possible since the absolute molecular weight for ϕX 174 DNA has become known from sequence work. RF DNA of ϕX 174 phage consists of 5375±20 basepairs equivalent to a molecular weight of (3.558±0.013)x106 dalton and since the length of this DNA has been determined to be 1.71±0.02 μm the molecular linear density of double stranded DNA prepared for electron microscopy under the conditions described is (2.08±0.03)x106 dalton μm-1. These data have been used to determine the molecular weights of several phage DNA's and of the plasmid DNA PML 21. The latter DNA exhibits a remarkable heterogeneity with respect to its size.
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Communicated by H.G. Wittmann
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Stüber, D., Bujard, H. Electron microscopy of DNA: Determination of Absolute molecular weights and linear density. Molec. Gen. Genet. 154, 299–303 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571286
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571286