RNA Extraction by the Proteinase K Method

This method of RNA extraction relies on a relatively gentle lysis procedure that should burst the cells, but leave the nuclei intact. Contamination of a relatively RNase-free cytoplasmic environment with nuclear nucleases is thus minimised. Next the polysomes are dissociated with SDS and proteinase K and finally the protein is removed by several phenol/choloroform extractions (1 ,2 ).