Abstract
RNA isolation from siliques and dry seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana requires complex methods due to the high contents of polysaccharides and secondary metabolites. We herein report an RNA isolation method that basically consists of use of high-sodium extraction buffer, two-step extraction with organic solvents, isopropanol precipitation alone. LiCl precipitation was additionally conducted if necessary. The yields of total RNA from siliques, dry seeds, flower buds, leaves, roots and stems were 286 ± 20, 1104 ± 75, 1159 ± 135, 550 ± 108, 513 ± 91 and 392 ± 42 μg g-1 tissue, respectively. Severe contamination by protein or polysaccharides was not found spectrophotometrically. The total RNA fractions were undegraded and could be applied to RT-PCR. Overall, this method drastically reduced the time required for RNA isolation from siliques and dry seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana, and was simple enough to be routinely applied to other tissues.
