Removal of Endotoxins and Nucleic Acids Using Submicron-sized Polymeric Particles

Submicron-sized polymeric particles (SSPP) were used to remove nucleic acids and endotoxins from cell lysates. The positively charged SSPP selectively adsorb nucleic acids and endotoxins and form complexes with them. The complexes can be easily removed by sedimentation or centrifugation. The removal of nucleic acids and endotoxins using SSPP also can be accomplished in the presence of cell and cell debris. Therefore, nucleic acids and endotoxins can be removed in an initial step of the down-stream processes. In bakers yeast and E. coli lysate systems, the level of DNA could be reduced more than three orders of magnitudes and endotoxins more than seven orders of magnitudes concurrently with the cell debris removal process using SSPP.