Stability of RNA isolated from macrophages depends on the removal of an RNA-degrading activity early in the extraction procedure

Abstract

Ubiquitous RNases are the usual causes of RNA degradation on its isolation from mammalian cells. Using guanidine hydrochloride for the extraction of RNA from mouse peritoneal macrophages, we identify a major source of RNA-degrading activity, the stage of the extraction procedure at which this activity may be detected and show that its removal early in the extraction leads to a more dependable method for the recovery of high quality RNA.