title: Protection of DNA during preparative agarose gel electrophoresis against damage induced by ultraviolet light.
abstract: Preparative gel electrophoresis of double-stranded DNA usually includes staining the gel with ethidium bromide followed by illumination with ultraviolet (UV-B) light. In this report, DNA isolated from agarose gels was found to be a poor substrate for in vitro transcription, transformation of E. coli and PCR. Inhibition was not caused by enzyme-inhibiting impurities in the agarose gel, but was induced by a standard transilluminator fitted with 312-nm tubes. Interestingly, it was possible to protect the DNA against UV damage by the addition of cytidine or guanosine to the electrophoresis buffer.
authors.affiliation: University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gründemann
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schömig
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006151:Guanosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D006151:Guanosine; D004247:DNA