AFFINITY-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH NUCLEIC-ACID POLYMERS

Column chromatography utilizing polynucleotides immobilized on solid s upports is reviewed. This form of affinity chromatography is used for the isolation of polynucleotides and polynucleotide binding proteins, and to a lesser extent for analysis. Several specific applications wit hin these categories have been widely used in the biomedical sciences. Poly(A) mRNA is routinely isolated using oligo(dT) or oligo(dU) suppo rts. Many DNA binding proteins, including transcription factors, restr iction endonucleases, and proteins involved in DNA repair, replication , recombination, and transposition have been purified using DNA affini ty chromatography. Recently, DNA supports suitable for use in high-per formance liquid chromatography have been described and utilized. The c urrent usage of DNA affinity chromatography is reviewed and potential future uses for this technology are speculated upon.