Isolation and Characterization of Epidermal DNA and RNA from Guinea Pig Skin

DNA and RNA were isolated from mammalian epidermis in a relatively small scale procedure. The high purity and native state of the DNA isolated is reflected by its molar absorptivity E (P), its thermal hyperchromicity and its hyperchromicity upon DNase treatment and by its sedimentation profile as well as by its profile in a cesium chloride density gradient. The very low content of protein and RNA, as well as the data of DNA determination, indicate that this method permits the isolation of a highly purified product. This is further substantiated by the determination of UV absorption spectra and by analysis of the base composition.The mammalian skin DNA showed the following properties: Mol. w…