RNA isolation from adipocytes presents with several technical problems and yields
unacceptable results when following standard protocols. Here, we will describe additional
steps and modifications necessary for the use of different RNA isolation protocols
in terms of RNA yield, RNA quality and preparation time. Using five times the recommended
quantity of lysis buffer, incubating the lysate at 37 °C, repeatedly passing the lysate
through a cannula, and centrifugation to remove the lipid layer are essential additional
steps when working with adipocytes. With these modifications, isolation of total RNA
resulted in an average yield of 12 - 30 µg total RNA from 2 × 106 cells. Preparation times were similar for all but the CsCl gradient method. The purest
RNA was obtained by spin-column purification, whereas acid phenol-chloroform methods
yielded the highest amounts of total RNA. CsCl gradient ultracentrifugation is suggested
for situations where DNase I digestion is impractical.
Key words:
RNA Isolation - Adipocytes - CsCl Gradient Ultracentrifugation - Acid Phenol-Chloroform
Extraction
References
- 1
Engeli S, Gorzelniak K, Kreutz R, Runkel N, Distler A, Sharma A M.
Co-expression of renin-angiotensin system genes in human adipose tissue.
J Hypertens.
1999;
17
555-560
- 2
Gorzelniak K, Engeli S, Sharma A M.
Standardizing the counting of adipocytes in cell culture.
Bio Techniques.
1998;
24
536-538
- 3
Glisin V, Crkvenjakov R, Byus C.
Ribonucleic acid isolated by cesium chloride centrifugation.
Biochemistry.
1974;
13
2633-2637
- 4
Chirgwin J M, Przybyla A E, MacDonald R J, Rutter W J.
Isolation of biologically active ribonucleic acid from sources enriched in ribonuclease.
Biochemistry.
1979;
18
5294-5299
- 5
Chomczynski P, Sacchi N.
Single-step method of RNA isolation by acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform
extraction.
Anal Biochem.
1987;
162
156-159
- 6
Tavangar K, Hoffman A R, Kraemer F B.
A micromethod for the isolation of total RNA from adipose tissue.
Anal Biochem.
1990;
186
60-63
Prof. A. M. Sharma,M.D.
Department of Nephrology and Hypertension
Franz-Volhard-Klinik
Universitätsklinikum Charité
Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
Wiltbergstrasse 50
13122 Berlin
Germany
Telefon: Phone:+ 49 (30) 9417 2203
Fax: Fax:+ 49 (30) 9417 2206
eMail: E-mail:sharma@fvk-berlin.de