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Unusual Physical Properties of Mitochondrial DNA in Yeast

Nature volume 224, pages 270–271 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

THE presence in mitochondria of a genetic apparatus, which is at least partially autonomous, has greatly stimulated interest in the characterization of mitochondrial DNA from various organisms. A study of physical behaviour, in particular buoyant density and melting temperature, can yield useful information on base composition. Related species of mammals, birds, reptiles and plants have mitochondrial DNAs of similar densities1. This is also true for lower organisms—for example, fungi2—although not for the two related flagellates Tetrahymena and Paramecium1. The density of mitochondrial DNA may be higher (birds and plants), similar (mammals and reptiles) or lower (most unicellular organisms) than that of the corresponding nuclear DNA (ref. 1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Aarhus, Denmark

    A. LETH BAK, C. CHRISTIANSEN & A. STENDERUP

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  1. A. LETH BAK
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  2. C. CHRISTIANSEN
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  3. A. STENDERUP
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BAK, A., CHRISTIANSEN, C. & STENDERUP, A. Unusual Physical Properties of Mitochondrial DNA in Yeast. Nature 224, 270–271 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/224270a0

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