Detection of histones by DNA binding ability after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Histones can be detected on the basis of their binding to DNA after electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing DNA. The method depends on the ability of individual histone components to 1) renature, 2) bind to DNA, and 3) prevent ethidium bromide binding and fluorescence. This technique can provide qualitative and, possibly, quantitative information on histones in crude extracts.