Molecular characterization of free nucleic acids in coconut water

Issue Date

6-2010

Abstract

Several studies have already been done on coconut water (CW). However, detailed molecular studies have not been made. We established, identified, and characterized the free nucleic acids (FNA) found in CW from three local coconut varieties using ethanol precipitation, colorimetric detection, and digestion assay methods. FNAs found at varying ages of the coconut drupe follow an ontogenetic pattern. In addition, FNAs extracted revealed a double-stranded FNA (dsFNA) conformation which is present throughout the different ages of the drupe. Digestion assays performed reveal that the dsFNA extracted is composed of a DNA:mRNA hybrid. Interestingly, though our digestion assays suggest that the other portion of the hybrid is DNA, digesting the samples with RNAse A yielded no detectable nucleic acid form in the colorimetric assays, inferring both strands to be RNA. Considering that miRNAs behave like DNA, we, in light of our results, speculate the existence of an miRNA:mRNA hybrid.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Science

ISSN

0031-7683

Volume

139

Issue

1

Page

35-42

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

illustrations, table, graph

Language

English

Subject

Coconut water, DNA:RNA hybrid, dsFNA, FNA, miRNA

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS