An improved method for the rapid isolation of chromosomal DNA from Mycoplasma spp

A method is described for the rapid isolation of chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid from species of the genus Mycoplasma. The method involves incubation of washed cells at elevated temperature in the presence of an ionic detergent, chelating agents, and proteinase K prior to the removal of residual protein and ribonucleic acid with ribonuclease and chloroform. It results in a good yield of high molecular weight material that is shown to be free of endogenous nuclease and substantially free of protein or ribonucleic acid contamination without the use of phenol. The isolated DNA is shown to be an excellent substrate for restriction endonuclease digestion and ligation with T4 DNA ligase.