COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF HIGH-POLYMER DNA FROM GONADS OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF HYDROBIONTS

Abstract

The method was elaborated for obtaining high-polymer DNA from male gonads of hydrobionts as a potential macromolecular matrix for production of preparations for various purposes. A comparative analysis of chemical composition and activities of endogenous proteases and deoxyribonucleases was performed for four fish species and a sea scallop and bovine spleen (as the main source of raw materials) in order to identify factors that affected the degree of DNA depolymerization in the process of its isolation. The DNA content of male gonads of the hydrobionts exceeded that in the bovine spleen 4-11 times. It was found that the activity profiles of endogenous proteases in gonads of all studied hydrobionts were generally similar (with the exception of that in pollock). Nucleases of various species were characterized by a wide range of activity values. The degree of DNA depolymerization, qualitative and quantitative composition of protein and lipid components of the obtained preparations determined the possibility of their use as medical drugs. The method of obtaining the target product with the use of salt extraction and ethanol precipitation was supplemented by proteolysis in order to remove residual protein to a value of no more than 5% of dry weight. A stepwise change in the composition of the preparations and in the DNA characteristics in the process of isolation and purification was shown. The obtained preparations were evaluated by spectral analysis with comparison of the obtained data with phage λ DNA, by electrophoresis for determination of molecular mass and by estimation of hyperchromic effect.