Chromatography of Nucleic Acids on Cross-Linked Cyciodextrin Gels Having Inclusion-Forming Capacity

Abstract

The characterization by UV spectral methods of the interaction between cyclodextrins and nucleic acid components yields the following information. Adenine nucleotides are found to interact most strongly with cycloheptaamylose, presumably by inclusion of the base within the cyciodextrin cavity. Factors influencing the interaction include pH, the position of phosphorylation of nucleotides, and the degree of polymerization of oligonucleotides. When epichloro-hydrin cross-linked cycloheptaamylose gel is used as a stationary phase for nucleic acid chromatography, adenine-containing compounds are retained most strongly. The factors affecting complex formation with free cycloheptaamylose have the same effects on gel chromatography of nucleic acids. It appears that cyciodextrin stationary phases are useful for fractionation of nucleic acids and of other classes of compounds with functional groups which can interact with cyciodextrin cavities.