Biophysical Journal 5: 947-964 (1965)
© 1965 the Biophysical Society

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Zone Centrifugation in a Cesium Chloride Density Gradient Caused by Temperature Change

ABSTRACT

In this communication is described a new technique for the determination of sedimentation coefficients of macromolecules banded in equilibrium density gradients. Initially, the macromolecules are banded in the analytical ultracentrifuge at a low temperature of about 5°C. After equilibrium has been obtained, the temperature is increased to 25°C. The equilibrium band will now sediment to a new equilibrium position in the ultracentrifuge cell: (a) By following the position of the migrating band as a function of time, sedimentation coefficients may be determined. (b) If several species having different sedimentation coefficients are present in the original band, then during the course of the migration the band may split into several new bands which eventually reunite at the final equilibrium position. (c) If different chemical species of macromolecules such as nucleic acids and carbohydrates are present, in general they will exhibit different temperature density relationships, and can move different distances and directions in response to temperature change.