What kinds of substances could interfere with the Dische's test for DNA?
I'm wondering if proteins can interfere with this. Please help me
You may want to post this in a different forum; I have never used this test, but maybe someone can give you an answer for it in this forum.
I'm not sure if this is relevant, but AIDS tests can be fouled by extraneous genetic material like flu virus particles.
To determine if proteins can interfere with the Dische's test for DNA, it helps to understand the principles of this test.
The Dische's test is a chemical test used to detect the presence of DNA. It is based on the reaction between deoxyribose (a component of DNA) and a chemical called diphenylamine. This reaction results in the formation of a blue-colored compound.
Now, let's discuss the substances that could potentially interfere with the Dische's test for DNA:
1. Proteins: Proteins are unlikely to interfere with the Dische's test because they do not contain deoxyribose. This test specifically targets the deoxyribose sugar backbone of DNA, and proteins lack this sugar.
2. RNA: Ribonucleic acid (RNA) contains a similar sugar called ribose. Since the Dische's test is designed to detect deoxyribose, it may not yield accurate results if there are significant amounts of RNA present. Therefore, the presence of RNA can interfere with the test.
3. Contaminants: Any contaminants or impurities in the reaction mixture could potentially interfere with the Dische's test for DNA. For example, certain chemicals present in the sample, such as detergents, strong acids/bases, or compounds with strong reducing or oxidizing capabilities, can affect the colorimetric reaction or inhibit the formation of the blue compound.
4. Non-DNA nucleic acids: Other types of nucleic acids, such as transfer RNA (tRNA) or messenger RNA (mRNA), do not contain deoxyribose and therefore may not produce the expected blue color reaction in the Dische's test.
In conclusion, proteins themselves are not likely to interfere with the Dische's test for DNA since they lack deoxyribose, the target molecule of this test. However, other nucleic acids like RNA, certain contaminants, or impurities in the reaction mixture may affect the test results. If the presence of proteins is suspected, it is advisable to carry out additional tests or use alternative methods to confirm the presence of DNA.