Question

How is DNA separated from protein? From RNA?

Short answer

To separate DNA from protein, the protein and Nucleic acid mixture is shaken with phenol so that proteins get precipitated and are separated from the mixture by centrifugation. DNA can further be separated from RNA by treating the mixture with ethanol.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

DNA is a double helical structure given by Watson and Crick. It is the genetic material that carries genetic information. It is made up of units called a nucleotide. Each nucleotide comprises a base, sugar, and phosphate group.

To separate DNA from protein

Nucleic acids remain associated with proteins when they are in cells, and once the cell is broken, DNA becomes deproteinized, and thus it is separated from the protein. The protein and Nucleic acid mixture are shaken with phenol proteins, precipitated, and separated from the mixture by centrifugation.

Another method to dissociate protein from nucleic acids is using guanidinium chloride or high salt concentration. It can also be degraded using enzyme proteases. When a protein has been dissociated, a mixture of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) is precipitated

To separate DNA from RNA

To separate the DNA from RNA, treat the mixture of nucleic acids with ethanol. The precipitates thus obtained are then treated with pancreatic DNase to remove DNA, or the mixture can be treated with RNase to eliminate RNA, and thus, separation can be carried out.