Nucleic Acid Denaturation
Synonyms
Acid Denaturation, Nucleic
DNA Denaturation
DNA Melting
Denaturation, DNA
Denaturation, Nucleic Acid
Denaturation, RNA
Nucleic Acid Denaturations
RNA Denaturation
Disruption of the secondary structure of nucleic acids by heat, extreme pH or chemical treatment. Double strand DNA is "melted" by dissociation of the non-covalent hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Denatured DNA appears to be a single-stranded flexible structure. The effects of denaturation on RNA are similar though less pronounced and largely reversible.
See Also