Dielectric increment of low molecular weight RNA in dioxane after application of static electric fields

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1976 Oct 4;447(2):230-7. doi: 10.1016/0005-2787(76)90345-2.

Abstract

A soluble RNA with a molecular weight between 15 000 and 23 000 was extracted from calf thymus and chromatographically purified. The RNA was slightly soluble in doxane (approx. 2.5 mug/ml) and RNA-dioxane solutions were used to fill a cell (452.02 pF capacitance) to which static electric fields of variable strength were applied. The dielectric permittivity of the solutions was measured at a fixed time interval after the application of the electric field. The RNA solutions showed a dielectric increment proportional to the strength of the applied field and to the RNA concentration. The existence of a hystersis effect was proven and the effect of the electric field on the RNA molecule might be related to a dielectric saturation phenomenon parallel to long-term changes of the molecule.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Diffusion
  • Dioxanes*
  • Dioxins*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Mathematics
  • Molecular Weight
  • RNA* / isolation & purification
  • Thermodynamics
  • Thymus Gland

Substances

  • Dioxanes
  • Dioxins
  • RNA