Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Probing the 3' end of RNA by sodium periodate oxidation and β-elimination

proxymethoxy - 19-1-2016 at 00:54

Essentially sodium periodate will oxidize the vicinal 3' and 2' OH groups at the 3' end of an RNA molecule. Subsequently the 3' terminal nucleotide is lost which can be visualized by single-nucleotide resolution gel electrophoresis. If the RNA has some sort of modification, say 2'-methoxy then no such elimination would occur.

Could someone explain to me the mechanism of this elimination. How is the nucleotide lost after sodium periodate treatment?


[Edited on 19-1-2016 by proxymethoxy]