title: Magnesium-dependent thermostability of DNase I.
abstract: DNase I can be used to remove contaminating DNA from RNA samples. Heat treatment has been recommended as a method to inactivate DNase I enzymatic activity, thereby allowing subsequent reverse transcription and PCR amplification of DNase I treated RNA. We have found that inactivation of DNase I by heat treatment is strongly dependent on Mg2+ concentration. In addition, deoxyribonucleolytic activity of "inactivated" enzyme may be restored by changes in Mg2+ concentration following heat treatment. Caution should be exercised when using heat treatment alone as a method of DNase I inactivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oregon Health Sciences Univ., Portland.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Bickler
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Bagby
mesh_terms: D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006358:Hot Temperature; D015636:Magnesium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I