How to Win the Battle with RNase

Because ribose residues carry hydroxyl groups in both the 2′ and 3′ positions, RNA is chemically much more reactive than DNA and is easy prey to cleavage by contaminating RNases—enzymes with various specificities that share the property of hydrolyzing diester bonds linking phosphate and ribose residues. Because RNases are released from cells following lysis and are present on the skin, constant vigilance is required to prevent contamination of glassware and bench tops and the creation of aerosols carrying RNase. The problem is compounded because there is no simple method to inactivate RNases. Because of the presence of intrachain disulfide bonds, many RNases are resistant to prolonged boiling and mild denaturants and are able to refold quickly when denatured. Unlike many DNases, RNases do not require divalent cations for activity and thus cannot be easily inactivated by the inclusion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or other metal ion chelators in buffer solutions. The best way to prevent problems with RNase is to avoid contamination in the first place.