Function of SDS in DNA extraction and in SDS PAGE

Sodium lauryl sulfate or Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). SDS is a strong anionic detergent used to denature proteins.
Applications:

• Used in SDS-PAGE and  in DNA extraction procedure.
• SDS-PAGE (Sodium dodecyl sulphate –polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) is a technique for separating proteins based on size.

Mechanism of action:

• In DNA extraction procedure, SDS is used for cell lysis and release of cell contents
• In SDS PAGE, SDS has 2 function

         1. It denatures the protein
         2. It provides an overall negative change to the protein so that separation is based on size of the protein in SDS-PAGE.