title: Nucleic acid hybridization in plasma: method for the quantitation of poly(I).poly(C12, U) in plasma of cancer patients.
abstract: Using a new method for the direct measurement of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule poly(I).poly(C12, U) in plasma, levels of 100 X 10(-9) g of drug were routinely quantified. The samples were digested by proteinase K in a buffered solution containing 0.1% of Brij-35 and deoxycholate detergents. The digestions were terminated after 1 h by the addition of Brij-58 and boiling saturated NaI (1.67 g/ml). Serially diluted samples were filtered onto nitrocellulose and the filters washed and hybridized. Levels of the hybridized-radioactive probe, synthesized de novo in an RNA dependent DNA transcription system, were determined by liquid scintillation spectrophotometry and quantified by comparison to a standard curve. The efficiency of hybridization declined when the plasma concentration in the reaction fell below 1.0 mg/ml. Incubation and denaturation temperatures significantly altered the amount of radioactive probe hybridized; results varied in the extent of hybridization and in the concentration range of dsRNA showing a linear response. Elevated temperature during proteinase K digestion showed reduced hybridization efficiencies: 100% at 25, 80% at 37, 35% at 45, and 25% at 55 degrees C. Incubation at elevated temperatures, prior to the addition of NaI, caused a decline in the amount of radioactivity hybridized, but did not have an effect during hybridization.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011066:Poly C / Q000097:blood*; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000097:blood*; D011072:Poly U / Q000097:blood*; D011131:Polyribonucleotides / Q000097:blood*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011131:Polyribonucleotides; C035610:poly(U-C); D011072:Poly U; D011066:Poly C; D011070:Poly I-C