Question

Why do we need EDTA to bind to metal ions during DNA isolation? Why do we want it to stop DNase and RNase enzymes?

Answer 1

EDTA is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a chelating agent that binds divalent metal ions such as calcium and magnesium. EDTA is used to prevent degradation of DNA and RNA and to inactivate nucleases that require metal ions. EDTA can also be used to inactivate metal ion requiring enzyme.

The EDTA chelates the metal ions present into the enzymes and as we all know that the metal ions are the cofactor which increases the activity of the enzymes. By chelating the metal ions, it deactivates the enzymes, therefore, reduces the activity of DNAse and RNAse. it dissolves DNA and RNA and protect the nucleic acid from degradation. it is a major constituent of DNA extraction buffer which helps in lysis of cell wall and nuclear membrane. it protects the nucleic acid from degrading by dnase and rnase.

EDTA is versatile chelating agent. it can form four or six bonds with a metal ions and it forms chelates with bond transition metal ion and main group ion. EDTA is a frequency used in soaps and detergents because it forms a complexes with calcium and magnesium ions

summery; the EDTA works as a chelating agent in the DNA extraction. it chelates the metal ions present into the enzymes and as well as we all know that the metal ions are the cofactor which increases the activity of the enzymes.