Method for preferentially removing protein over nucleic acids using physical as well as chemical means of removal of the protein

Abstract

Provided is a method of removing protein while not removing nucleic acids from a biological sample containing protein, the method including: adding a compound of formula I below and a protein nucleating agent to the biological sample containing protein: where at least two of R, R, and Rsubstituents are substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6 alkyl groups and the other substituent is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6 alkyl group, a is an integer of 1 to 6, and b is 0 or 1, wherein b is 0 when a is not 1; treating the resultant mixture with a hydrophobic surface material in order to obtain a protein-free mixture; and separating the protein-free mixture from the hydrophobic surface material to which the protein is bound. By using the method, the protein can be selectively, effectively removed from the biological sample containing the protein while a nucleic acid is maintained in the sample.