Factors influencing the yield of satellite DNA in extractions from Drosophila virilis and Drosophila melanogaster adults and embryos.

The application of different DNA extraction methods to identical batches of Drosophila virilis and Drosophila melanogaster flies or embryos has revealed that the ionic strength of a homogenization medium is of critical importance if chloroform extractions are performed. The low yield of satellite DNA after homogenization in low salt buffers is less severe if EDTA is included in the buffer. Phenol extraction procedures result in no such differential behavior of satellite and main band DNA, but under certain circumstances a particular satellite fraction of Drosophila virilis DNA may be lost.