Degradation of rRNA and poly(A) + RNA during isolation from Achlya klebsiana prevented by alkaline pH not ribonuclease inhibitors

Abstract

Intact rRNAs and translatable poly(A) + RNAs were isolated from the watermold Achlya klebsiana (strain 1969) only when the cells were disrupted at high pH (pH 10–11). Ribonuclease inhibitors provided little protection against RNA degradation during isolation. Integrity of the isolated RNA correlated directly with cell extraction pH. A ribonuclease resistant to most RNAse inhibitors, but readily inactivated at pH 9.5 and above, was detected in the cell extracts.