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PAXgene Tissue RNA Kit

For purification of total RNA from tissues fixed and stabilized in PAXgene Tissue Containers
  • Integrated system for fixation, stabilization, and purification
  • High-quality RNA from tissues with preserved morphology
Kit
Kit Content
Catalog No.
PAXgene Tissue RNA Kit (50) For 50 RNA preps: PAXgene RNA MinElute Spin Columns, PAXgene Shredder Spin Columns, Processing Tubes, Microcentrifuge Tubes, Carrier RNA, RNase-Free DNase, and RNase-Free Buffers. To be used in conjunction with PAXgene Tissue Containers 765134

Tissue samples fixed and stored in PAXgene Tissue Containers can be paraffin-embedded and used for pathological studies as well as for subsequent purification of RNA, miRNA, and/or DNA.
The PAXgene Tissue RNA Kit* provides purification of total RNA from tissues fixed and stabilized in PAXgene Tissue Containers. Purification is carried out using silica-based RNA purification technology in a spin-column format.

Principle

Current tissue fixation methods used in traditional histology are of limited use for molecular analysis. Fixatives that contain formaldehyde cross-link biomolecules and modify nucleic acids and proteins. During tissue fixation, storage, and processing, cross-links lead to degradation of nucleic acids. Since cross-links cannot be removed completely, the resulting chemical modifications can cause inhibition in sensitive downstream applications such as quantitative PCR or RT-PCR. In order to enable both molecular and traditional pathology testing from the same specimen, a method is needed for stabilization of molecular content and preservation of morphology.
PreAnalytiX has developed the PAXgene Tissue System to meet such needs. The system consists of a tissue collection device (the PAXgene Tissue Container for collection, stabilization, storage, and transportation of human tissue specimens) and kits for purification of total RNA, DNA, or miRNA. PAXgene Tissue Containers provide tissue fixation for histopathology studies and enable purification of high-quality nucleic acids from the same sample for molecular analysis. The fixation and stabilization method preserves tissue morphology and the integrity of nucleic acids without destructive cross-linking and degradation found in formalin-fixed tissues.
For purification of total RNA, the system requires the use of PAXgene Tissue Containers for Tissue collection and stabilization, followed by RNA isolation and purification using the PAXgene Tissue RNA Kit. Together the container and kit provide a complete preanalytical solution for collection, fixation, and stabilization of tissue, and purification of high-quality RNA for molecular analysis (see figure “Successful RT-PCR with PAXgene Tissue RNA”).

Sample collection and stabilization

PAXgene Tissue Containers are dual-chamber containers prefilled with 2 reagents (see figure “PAXgene Tissue Container 01, -02, -03, -04”). PAXgene Tissue Fix rapidly penetrates and fixes the tissue. After fixation, the tissue is removed from the PAXgene Tissue Fix and transferred to PAXgene Tissue Stabilizer in the second chamber of the same container (see figure “PAXgene Tissue Container Workflow”). When the tissue is stored in PAXgene Tissue Stabilizer, nucleic acids and morphology of the tissue sample are stable for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 days at room temperature or for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 weeks at 2–8°C, depending on the type of tissue.** Stabilized samples can be embedded in paraffin for histological studies (see the PAXgene Tissue Container Product Circular for information about tissue fixation, stabilization, processing, and paraffin embedding). With the PAXgene Tissue RNA kit, total RNA can be isolated from sections of PAXgene Tissue fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (PFPE).

RNA purification

Disruption and homogenization of the tissue sample is performed in the binding buffer, Buffer TR1. After a centrifugation step to remove residual cell debris, ethanol is added to the lysate to provide appropriate binding conditions for RNA. The sample is then applied to a PAXgene RNA MinElute spin column, where the total RNA binds to the membrane and contaminants are efficiently washed away. Between the first and second wash steps, the membrane is treated with DNase I to remove trace amounts of bound DNA. After the wash steps, RNA is eluted in a low-salt elution buffer and denatured by heating (see figure “The PAXgene Tissue RNA Procedure”).

Total RNA purified using the PAXgene Tissue RNA Kit is highly pure. Genomic DNA contamination is minimized, and purified RNA is ready to use in downstream applications with no detectable PCR inhibition. All RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides are purified. The procedure provides enrichment for mRNA since most RNAs <200 nucleotides (such as 5.8S rRNA, 5S rRNA, and tRNAs, which together comprise 15–20% of total RNA) are selectively excluded. The size distribution of the purified RNA is comparable to that obtained by centrifugation on a CsCl gradient, through which small RNAs do not sediment efficiently. For purification of small RNA, including microRNA (miRNA), we recommend using the PAXgene Tissue miRNA Kit.

Applications

The purified RNA is ready to use in a wide range of downstream research applications, including: 
• RT-PCR and quantitative, real-time RT-PCR 
• Expression-array and expression-chip analysis 
• cDNA synthesis 
• RNase and S1 nuclease protection 
• Northern, dot, and slot blot analysis 
• Primer extension

*For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostics procedures. No claim or representation is intended to provide information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

**Specifications for fixation and storage conditions in PAXgene Tissue Fix and PAXgene Tissue Stabilizer were determined using animal tissues.

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