Effect of salt on acidic dsRNA extraction
Extraction of CMV dsRNA from infected tobacco, + or - LiCl, grinding times varied
For these samples:
Added salt (0.3ml of 10M LiCl) facilitates extractionImplication - under certain conditions tobacco tissue (probably many tissues) contains substances that inhibit acidic dsRNA extraction. Salt facilitates dsRNA extraction. What is this substance(s)? Salt effects suggest an oligo or poly cation. Calcium ion is a good candidate. Further work is necessary to find conditions which quantitatively extract dsRNA (and hopefully suppress contaminant extraction).
Increased grinding time facilitates extraction (effect may be simply incubation or heating)
Increased grinding selectively improves extraction of large dsRNAs
Added salt also extracts contaminants