Effect of the matrix on DNA electrophoretic mobility

DNA electrophoretic mobilities are highly dependent on the nature of the matrix in which the separation takes place. This review describes the effect of the matrix on DNA separations in agarose gels, polyacrylamide gels and solutions containing entangled linear polymers, correlating the electrophoretic mobilities with information obtained from other types of studies. DNA mobilities in various sieving media are determined by the interplay of three factors: the relative size of the DNA molecule with respect to the effective pore size of the matrix, the effect of the electric field on the matrix, and specific interactions of DNA with the matrix during electrophoresis.