title: Probing DNA structure with hydroxyl radicals.
abstract: The hydroxyl radical is a useful probe for studying the shape of the surface of a DNA molecule. Using this technique, fine details of DNA structure can potentially be revealed. This unit describes how to use the hydroxyl radical to generate a random cleavage pattern at the surface of the molecule, separate the broken DNA strands by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and analyze the cleavage pattern to give an image of the surface of the molecule.
authors.affiliation: Boston University, Boston, Massachussetts, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Tullius
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053837:DNA Cleavage; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D004247:DNA