Nucleic acid extraction refers to the process of separating nucleic acids from samples by physical and chemical methods. Isolation of high-quality nucleic acids is a key step in molecular biology research. Guanidine hydrochloride and guanidine thiocyanate can denature proteins and are widely used in nucleic acid extraction. This paper will introduce the functions of guanidine hydrochloride and guanidine thiocyanate in nucleic acid extraction.
Guanidine hydrochloride, CAS No.: 50-01-1, is a white crystalline powder. Guanidine hydrochloride is a strong inhibitor of nuclease, but it is not a strong denaturant. Its main role in nucleic acid extraction is to denature protein and inhibit enzyme activity. Guanidine hydrochloride can quickly destroy the cell membrane and denature and precipitate the protein, so that the nucleic acid can get rid of the entanglement of the protein.
Guanidine thiocyanate, CAS No.: 593-84-0, is a white crystalline powder. Guanidine thiocyanate is a powerful protein denaturant without RNase and DNase activities. In nucleic acid extraction, guanidine thiocyanate can quickly break cells or viruses to release nucleic acid, inhibit nuclease released by cells and ensure the integrity of primary structure of nucleic acid.
Guanidine hydrochloride and guanidine thiocyanate are common guanidine salts in nucleic acid extraction lysates. They can not only provide a high salt environment, but also inactivate nuclease, release nucleic acid and protect nucleic acid molecules.
