title: Isolation of deoxyribonucleic acid from Mycobacterium avium by rapid nitrogen decompression.
abstract: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of high molecular weight could be isolated from cells of Mycobacterium avium if the cells were exposed to nitrogen gas at 1,500 lb/in2 for 30 min and then brought to atmospheric pressure by rapid decompression. DNA isolated from the cells had a molecular weight of 4.8 x 10(6) to 17.4 x 10(6). DNA was also released into the fluid in which the cells were suspended during nitrogen decompression. One-half of this DNA, representing 3% of the total DNA phosphorus in the cells had a uniform molecular weight of 4.2 x 10(6). This DNA was linear in conformation, and removal of associated carbohydrates did not change its sedimentation rate. The biological function or significance of the 4-megadalton DNA was not determined.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001433:Bacteriolysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003664:Decompression; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000032:analysis*; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000032:analysis*; D009584:Nitrogen; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009584:Nitrogen