Efficient recovery of functionally intact mRNA from agarose gels via transfer to an ion-exchange membrane

Abstract

A simple method is described for the efficient recovery of intact mRNA from high resolution agarose gels. Fractlonatlon of RNA is accomplished by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions using methylmercurlc hydroxide. The RNA in the gel is then transferred electrophoretically to a diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-membrane. After reversing the methylmercuric modification of the RNA, the membrane is sliced into narrow sections and the RNA is eluted at 65^o with a high ionic strength buffer containing 6M guanidlne hydrochloride. RNA isolated by this procedure is suitable for subsequent enzymatic reactions, including in vitro translation and reverse transcription. The major advantages offered by this procedure are: 1) The membrane-bound RNA is a replica of the high resolution fractionatlon pattern achieved in the gel. 2) The immobilization and concentration of RNA and the removal of gel matrix contaminants are all accomplished in one step. 3) Small quantities of RNA are efficiently recovered and are suitable for subsequent biochemical manipulations. The method is of general utility for any biological system. We have applied its use to the fractionation, recovery, and analysis of mRNA from Xenopus liver and have identified cDNA clones coaplementary to albumin mRNA