The reactions of glutaraldehyde with nucleic acids.

The kinetics of the reactions between glutaraldehyde, RNA and DNA have been investigated. At temperatures up to 64 degree C no reaction occurred between native DNA and glutaraldehyde. At temperatures above 75 degree C the reaction followed pseudofirst order kinetics, proceeding more quickly at higher temperatures. Reactions between RNA and glutaraldehyde were similar, except that they began above 45 degree C. These findings were corroborated by thermal transition profiles. There was little evidence for the formation of cross-links between nucleic acid molecules even at elevated temperatures.