Metal ions as precipitants for nucleic acids and their use in the isolation of polynucleotides from leaves

Abstract

Two methods have been devised for the isolation of nucleic acids from leaves, based on precipitation by metal ions. Analytical results on 10 preparations from leaves by these methods are given. These suggest that relatively pure, undegraded polynucleotides are produced. Unextracted nucleic acid in leaf residues could not be detected. The mechanism of the interaction between metal ions and nucleic acids is discussed.