Iodo-Gen-mediated radioiodination of nucleic acids

Authors:

• Mieczyslaw A. Piatyszek,
• Artur Jarmołowski,
• Jacek Augustyniak

Abstract

Iodo-Gen (1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3a,6a-diphenylglycoluril), widely used as an oxidizing agent for iodination of proteins, can also be used for iodination of nucleic acids. Optimal conditions were determined for efficient labeling of RNA and DNA with ¹²⁵I. The proposed procedure for radioiodination of nucleic acids is more beneficial than the methods utilizing TlCl₃ because of the milder reaction conditions, the simplicity and completeness of separation of reaction products from the oxidizing agents, and the absence of a toxic catalyst. Using the standard procedure for Iodo-Gen-mediated iodination a specific radioactivity of up to 1.3 × 10⁹ dpm/μg RNA can be achieved. The proposed procedure is also suitable for radioiodination of DNA. © 1988.