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RNA Isolation method for polysaccharide rich algae: agar producing Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta)

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Abstract

RNA isolation is essential to study gene expression at the molecular level. However, RNA isolation is difficult in organisms (plants and algae) that contain large amounts of polysaccharides, which co-precipitate with RNA. Currently, there is no commercial kit available, specifically for the isolation of high-quality RNA from these organisms. Furthermore, because of the large amounts of polysaccharides, the common protocols for RNA isolation usually result in poor yields when applied to algae. Here we describe a simple method for RNA isolation from the marine red macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia (Rhodophyta), which can be applied to other plants and algae.

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Abbreviations

DEPC:

Diethylpyrocarbonate

ETOH:

Ethanol

GHCL:

guanidinium Hydrochloride extraction buffer

HMW-PEG:

High molecular weight polyethylene glycol

KOAc:

Potassium acetate

PVP:

Polyvinylpyrrolidone

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription coupled with polymerase chain reaction

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by FAPESP (Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Química, São Paulo, CP 20780, CEP 05599-970, Brazil

    Vanessa Dos Reis Falcão, Angela Pedroso Tonon & Pio Colepicolo

  2. Departamento de Botânica, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, São Paulo, CP 11461, CEP 05422-970, Brazil

    Mariana Cabral Oliveira

  3. Departamento de Bioquímica, IQUSP, CP 26077, SP 05599-970, São Paulo, Brazil

    Vanessa Dos Reis Falcão

Authors
  1. Vanessa Dos Reis Falcão
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  2. Angela Pedroso Tonon
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  3. Mariana Cabral Oliveira
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  4. Pio Colepicolo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vanessa Dos Reis Falcão.

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Dos Reis Falcão, V., Pedroso Tonon, A., Cabral Oliveira, M. et al. RNA Isolation method for polysaccharide rich algae: agar producing Gracilaria tenuistipitata (Rhodophyta). J Appl Phycol 20, 9–12 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-007-9174-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-007-9174-7

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