On Wed, 7 Aug 1996, Chris Barry wrote:
> Francois Jeanmougin wrote:
> >
> > In article <01bb83e4$58093080$47faa4c6 at skinner.mi.net>,
> > "Barn" <skinner at mis.nb.ca> writes:
> >
> > >121C
> > >YES, autoclaving will destroy DNA. To be sure, autoclave small batches for
> > >30-45 minutes. 121C is beyond the melting point of any DNA.
> > >
> >
> > Well, don't confuse between denaturation and destruction. the
> > destruction should come from covalent bond hydrolysis. Then the buffer
> > in which you are is important, at least its boiling point and the presence
> > of hydrolytic agents.
> >
> > Hope this helps,
> >
>> There are exceptions... If you are really paranoid, there are bacteria
> that can handle such temperatures. I don't have a source though.
>> Chris
>>I think you are referring to the hyperthermophilic Archean Pyrodictium
occultum. It has an optimum growth temperature of 103C and can survive
at temperatures reaching 113C. There should be a blurb about this in any
undergraduate microbiology text, however for a more complete reference
try Stetter et. al. Science 236: 822-824. If I am not mistaken,
Pyrodictium synthesizes a DNA binding protein which stabilizes its DNA at
these high temperatures. They are found at deep-sea hydrothermal vents
where the extremely high pressure allows water to be in the liquid state
above 100C.
