Abstract

This chapter presents the procedure for preparation of high molecular weight RNA. High molecular weight RNA can be isolated from haploid or diploid yeast cells as well as from ascospores. The conditions under which the yeast cells are grown (complete or selective media) do not influence the preparation procedure, although higher yields of RNA are generally obtained from cells grown in rich medium. Procedure requires some special precautions owing to the ubiquitous presence of RNA-degrading enzymes. For this reason it is important to wear gloves during the isolation and preparation procedure, and it is essential to separate all chemicals, tubes, and tips used for RNA preparation from commonly used materials. All glassware has to be baked for 2 hr at 200°; commercially available sterile plastic tubes or tips do not have to be specially pretreated, because they seem to be free of fibonucleases. Because the degradation of RNA by RNases is a time-dependent reaction, it is also advisable to work as fast as possible.