TITLE: RNA Quality Control Non-Denaturing Agarose &#34;Bleach&#34; Gel
AUTHORS: Lynn    Doran

[DESCRIPTION]
To evaluate the quality of RNA without the use of toxic chemicals, samples are run in a non-denaturing agarose "bleach" gel and product segregation is used to estimate RNA integrity.

Be aware that in a non-denaturing gel, the RNA will not segregate strictly on particle size due to secondary structures of the molecules.  This method is for an estimation of quality only and the location of the banding in relation to a base pair ladder does not allow confident determination of the size of the RNA fragment.  If true fragment size determinations are required, RNA quality should be evaluated on a denaturing gel electrophoresis system.

[BEFORE_START]
RNA degradation due to RNases is an ever present environmental risk to the samples.  Best lab practices regarding RNA handling including using RNase free plasticware, autoclaving tips and materials, cleaning the lab workspace, and wearing appropriate and clean lab coats and gloves should be followed at all times during this protocol.

[STEPS]
1. Empty and rinse the gel electrophoresis tank with distilled water at least three times.
2. Dry the tank with paper towels.
3. Treat the gel electrophoresis tank, the gel casting system, the gel tray, and the gel comb with RNase Away.  Set up the gel tray and the gel casting system.
4. Prepare fresh 0.5X TAE.
 

5. Measure the appropriate volume of 0.5X TAE for the gel cast size you have selected.

    100 mL for a 10 x 15 cm tray.

6. Weigh molecular grade agarose to 1% of the volume of 0.5X TAE for the gel cast size you have selected.

1 g agarose for 100 mL of 0.5X TAE for a 10 x 15 cm tray.

7. Pour the 0.5X TAE and the weighed agarose into an erlenmeyer flask.
8. Measure 1% bleach for the volume of 0.5X TAE for the gel cast size you have selected
1 mL 6% sodium hypochlorite bleach for 100 mL of 0.5X TAE for a 10 x 15 cm tray.

9. Swirl the flask containing the 0.5X TAE, agarose, and bleach.  Allow it to incubate atRoom temperature for 5 min

10. Place a kim wipe in the top of the flask to reduce evaporation and microwave on high until the solution is boiling, the agarose has dissolved, and no floaties or striations are visible in the solution.
11. Remove the kim wipe and allow the solution to cool to a temperature where the very top of the flask can be handled without hot pads. Gently swirling the flask will help speed cooling but be careful to avoid bubble formation.
 

13. Gently pour the agarose solution into the gel cast.  Try to minimize bubble formation.
14. Pipette the appropriate volume of 1:20,000 Sybrsafe DNA stain for the gel cast size you have selected directly into the agarose solution.
5 µL Sybrsafe DNA Stain for 100 mL of 0.5X TAE for a 10 x 15 cm tray.

 


15. Mix the Sybrsafe DNA Stain into the liquid agarose solution using the pipette tip.  Try to evenly distribute the Sybrsafe throughout the gel.
16. Pop or push any bubbles that form to the sides of the gel cast using the pipette tip.
17. Insert the gel comb and gently rock it side to side to release any air bubbles trapped under the comb.
12. Optional:  Level the gel cast before pouring the gel if images will be used in publications.
18. Allow the gel to set, approximately 20  minutes.  The gel will turn from clear to milky and from liquid to semi-solid when it is set.
19. Remove the gel comb.
20. Release the gel tray from the gel casting system and place the gel and gel tray in the gel electrophoresis tank.
21. Fill the gel electrophoresis tank with fresh 0.5X TAE until the gel is covered by a few centimeters and no air bubbles remain in the wells of the gel where the comb was removed.
22. Prepare your RNA samples by adding 5 µL of RNA to 1 µL of 6X loading dye in a PCR tube.  Keep your prepared samples on ice.
 


23. Load 6 µL of a prepared 1 kb nucleic acid ladder in the first well.

24. Load 6 µL of your prepared RNA with loading dye into subsequent wells.

25. Run the gel at 200 V until desired separation is achieved.
    For a 100 mL gel in 0.5X TAE, approximately 45-60 min.
 


26. Remove the gel from the gel electrophoresis system, slide the gel out of its tray on to the imaging tray of the Bio-Rad Gel Doc XR  Imager (or equivalent).
27. Visualize the gel under UV imaging using Quantity One software.