Analysis of RNA by capillary electrophoresis

Analytical parameters known to be important for the separation of DNA by capillary electrophoresis, including gel polymer concentration, electrical field strength and temperature, were investigated and optimized for the analysis of RNA molecules from 100 to 2000 bases. Denaturation, essential to obtain uniform and identifiable peaks, was accomplished by heating the sample in 80% formamide prior to electrophoresis and the presence of 2–8 M urea in the electrophoresis buffer. Efficient separations were obtained over a wide range of electrical field strengths and temperatures using the gel polymer hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) as separation matrix. Low HPMC concentrations (< 0.3%) were suited for the separation of high molecular mass RNA (> 1000 bases) whereas higher HPMC concentrations were required for optimal separation of low molecular mass RNA. An optimized system was applicable for the separation of the predominating RNA populations (small RNA of 60–300 bases (as a group of unseparated peaks), 18S and 28S rRNA) in total RNA from a human glioma cell line. This is the first systematic investigation of electrophoresis of higher molecular mass RNA in capillaries, and motivates further studies to transfer electrophoresis of RNA to the capillary format.