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Enhancement of resolution of low molecular weight RNA profiles by staircase electrophoresis
Author(s) -
CruzSánchez José M.,
Velázquez Encarna,
Mateos Pedro F.,
Velázquez Enrique,
MartínezMolina Eustoquio
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
electrophoresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.666
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1522-2683
pISSN - 0173-0835
DOI - 10.1002/elps.1150181103
Subject(s) - rna , electrophoresis , transfer rna , resolution (logic) , biology , gel electrophoresis , ribosomal rna , low resolution , chromatography , high resolution , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , chemistry , gene , computer science , artificial intelligence , remote sensing , geology
Stable low molecular weight (LMW) RNA comprises molecules used in the taxonomy of microorganisms and in studies on the microbial diversity of populations. However, the use of electrophoretic techniques has been hampered due to the low resolution obtained with techniques used for the separation of this kind of molecule. In this work we develop an electrophoretic method (staircase electrophoresis) that increases the resolution of the technique. This improvement in the resolution adequately resolves the three zones that integrate the profiles of LMW RNA: ribosomic 5S RNA (5S rRNA), class 2 transfer RNA (tRNA), and class 1 transfer RNA, allowing the technique to be applied to taxonomic studies (diagnostic, the identification of the individuals), phylogenetic studies and studies on naturally occurring microbial populations.