Electrophoretic transfer of DNA, RNA and protein onto diazobenzyloxymethyl (DBM) - paper.

A method has been developed for the electrophoretic transfer of DNA, RNA, protein and ribonucleoprotein particles from a variety of gels onto diazobenzyloxymethyl (DBM) - paper. Conditions for the electrophoretic transfer of these macromolecules have been optimized to allow for nearly quantitative transfer and covalent coupling. DNA and RNA electrophoretically transferred to DBM-paper retain their ability to hybridize with specific probes. The high efficiency of transfer and the high capacity of DBM-paper for nucleic acids makes possible the sensitive detection of specific nucleotide sequences. Similar efficiency is achieved in electrophoretic transfer and covalent coupling of proteins to DBM-paper. Macromolecules can also be electrophoretically transferred and bound to DBM-paper incapable of covalent bond formation. Their elution from the paper in high salt provides a new and useful preparative method for isolation of DNA, RNA and protein.