Rates of formation and thermal stabilities of RNA:DNA and DNA:DNA duplexes at high concentrations of formamide

Year: 1977

DOI: 10.1093/nar/4.5.1539

PMCID: PMC343772

The thermal stabilities of RNA:DNA hybrids are substantially greater than those of DNA:DNA duplexes in aqueous electrolyte solutions containing high concentrations of formamide. Association rates to form DNA:DNA duplexes and DNA:RNA hybrids have been measured in these solvents. There is a temperature range in which DNA:DNA rates are negligible and RNA:DNA rates close to optimal.