On the heterogeneity of the slow reassociating ("unique") DNA.

The slow reassociating fraction of mouse DNA ("unique DNA"), when allowed to reassociate in 0.14 M sodoum phosphate buffer at 50 degrees C showed a biphasic melting curve with a transition at 78--80 degrees C. On the basis of this feature, the slow reassociating DNA was separated preparatively into two fractions: "unique DNA" I and II. Their duplexes showed differences with respect to thermal stability, S1 nuclease resistance and rate of reassociation. About one third of the sequences in each fraction were fraction-specific. The conclusion was drawn that for "unique DNA" I these should be the low repetitive or single copy related sequences (multigene families) and for "unique DNA" II--the unrelated single copy sequences or recent families of low repetitive not yet diverged sequences.