Abstract
IN viruses the formaldehyde reaction takes place not only with the protein but also with the ribonucleic acid, as has been shown by Fraenkel-Conrat1. According to Staehelin2 the binding of formaldehyde by ribonucleic acid appears to be a specific function of the amino-groups of the bases. Yet there is no formaldehyde reaction with amino-groups involved in hydrogen bondings, as is the case in the double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid2. If this acid is subjected to dialysis with distilled water for several days in the cold (a procedure which is believed to break hydrogen bonds) it is rendered more reactive towards formaldehyde2. This increased reactivity is reversible by addition of a buffer2.
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References
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Sauerbier, W. (following communication).
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SAUERBIER, W. Reaction of Formaldehyde with Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Phage T1. Nature 188, 327–329 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/188327a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/188327a0
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