TriPure Isolation Reagent

TriPure Isolation Reagent

Clear, red solution; ready-to-use
Cat. No. 11 667 157 001 (50 ml)
Cat. No. 11 667 165 001 (250 ml)
Principle

During a one-step sample homogenization/lysis procedure, the TriPure Isolation

Reagent disrupts cells and denatures endogenous nucleases. After chloroform is added to
the extract, the mixture is centrifuged and separates into three phases: a colorless
aqueous (upper) phase, a white interphase and a red organic (lower) phase. The phases
may then be separated and alcohol precipitation used to recover RNA (from the colorless
aqueous phase), DNA and protein (from the interphase and red organic phase).

Starting material

Cultured cells (research samples)

Fresh or frozen animal tissue (research samples)

Human leukocytes (research samples)

Bacterial cell suspensions
Yeast spheroplasts
Plant spheroplasts
Application

Preparation of total RNA, genomic DNA, and protein from a single biological sample
DNA-free total RNA may be used for Northern blots, in vitro translation, RNase
protection assays, cDNA synthesis, or RT-PCR
RNA-free DNA may be used for PCR, restriction analysis, Southern blots, and
cloning
Denatured protein may be used for SDS-PAGE and Western blots

Time required

Total time: approx. 2.5 h for RNA isolation

Hands-on time: approx. 25 min for RNA isolation

Results

Yields vary depending on starting material (See the table under Part IV of How to
use the reagent in this article)
A260/A280 of RNA = 1.6 2.0
A260/A280 of DNA >1.7

Benets

Saves time, because the RNA isolation procedure requires only 1 h

Easy to use, because the red dye in the reagent simplies identication of different
phases
Adapts easily to needs of specic laboratories, because the reagent can be used
with a wide variety of starting samples
Simplies isolation protocols, because a single reagent can be used to isolate DNAfree RNA, RNA-free DNA, and protein for a variety of applications (see above)
Increases yield of intact RNA, because the reagent provides an immediate chaotropic denaturing environment that eliminates endogenous RNase activity

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TriPure Isolation Reagent

How to use the reagent

How to use the reagent

I.

Flow diagram
(see page 159)

Colorless aqueous phase

containing RNA

White interphase
Red organic phase

II.

Contain DNA
and protein

Reagent contents

TriPure Isolation Reagent is a clear, red, monophasic solution of phenol and guanidine
thiocyanate, pH 4. It is ready to use as supplied.

III.

Additional materials needed

For the extraction and phase separation protocol

Sterile, disposable polypropylene tubes that can withstand 12,000 x g in the presence
of TriPure Isolation Reagent and chloroform
Chloroform (free of all additives such as isoamyl alcohol)
For RNA isolation

Isopropanol
75% ethanol
Diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC)-treated, RNase-free water or DEPC-treated 0.5% SDS
For DNA isolation

Absolute ethanol
75 % ethanol
8 mM NaOH
0.1 M sodium citrate in 10 % ethanol
For protein isolation

Isopropanol
1 % sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
0.3 M guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) in 95% ethanol
Absolute ethanol

Solution-based Isolation

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TriPure Isolation Reagent

How to use the reagent

For particular samples

Homogenization apparatus (for tissue and certain cells only)

Red Blood Cell Lysis Buffer, Cat. No. 11 814 389 001 (for white blood cells only)
Glycogen (for processing <10 mg tissue)

IV.

158

Average nucleic acid yield from various sources

Sample

RNA yield

DNA yield

Tissue:
Liver
Spleen
Kidney
Skeletal muscle or brain
Placenta

6 10 g/mg tissue
6 10 g/mg tissue
3 4 g/mg tissue
1.0 1.5 g/mg tissue
1 4 g/mg tissue

3 4 g/mg tissue
not determined
3 4 g/mg tissue
2 3 g/mg tissue
2 3 g/mg tissue

Cultured cells:
Epithelial cells
Fibroblasts
Human, mouse, or rat cells

8 15 g/106 cells
5 7 g/106 cells
not determined

not determined
not determined
5 7 g/106 cells

Nucleic Acid Isolation and Purication Manual

TriPure Isolation Reagent

How to use the reagent

V.

Protocol for preparing RNA, DNA, and protein from animal

tissue (based on the method of Chomczynski, 1993)
For a detailed, step-by-step procedure and for tips on handling different types of
sample, see the package insert supplied with the reagent.
Extraction

Add 1 ml TriPure per 50 100 mg tissue

Homogenize sample in tissue homogenizer

Incubate 5 min at 15 to 25C to dissociate nucleoprotein complexes

Add chloroform (0.2 ml per 1 ml TriPure)

Shake vigorously 15 s; Incubate 2 15 min at 15 to 25C

Centrifuge 12,000 x g, 15 min at 2 to 8C

3 Phases: Aqueous (containing RNA) colorless

Interphase (containing DNA) white

Organic (containing protein) red

Isolation of RNA

Isolation of DNA/protein

Transfer aqueous phase to

new tube

from remaining interphase and organic phase

Precipitate with
isopropanol
(0.5 ml per 1 ml TriPure)
Mix by inversion
Incubate 5 10 min at
15 to 25C

Precipitate with ethanol (EtOH)

(0.3 ml 100% EtOH per 1 ml TriPure)
Mix by inversion
Incubate 2 3 min at 15 to 25C

Centrifuge 12,000 x g,
10 min at 2 to 8C
Discard suppernatant

Centrifuge 2000 x g, 5 min at 2 to 8C

Separate pellet and phenol/EtOH supernatant

Wash pellet 1 x with 75%

EtOH (1 ml EtOH per
1 ml TriPure)

Centrifuge 7500 x g,
5 min at 2 to 8C
Discard supernatant

Solution-based Isolation

Isolation of DNA

Isolation of protein

Pellet

Phenol/EtOH supernatant

Wash pellet in 10% EtOH/0.1 M

sodium citrate
(1 ml per 1 ml TriPure)
Incubate 30 min at 15 to 25C with
occasional mixing

Precipitate with isopropanol

(1.5 ml per 1 ml TriPure)
Mix by inversion
Incubate 10 min at 15 to 25C

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TriPure Isolation Reagent

How to use the reagent

Air dry pellet

Resuspend in RNase-free
water or DEPC-treated
0.5% SDS
Incubate 10 15 min at
55 60C to resuspend

Store RNA at 15
to 25C

Centrifuge 2000 x g,
5 min at 2 to 8C
Discard supernatant

Centrifuge 12,000 x g,
10 min at 2 to 8C
Discard supernatant

Repeat wash step 2 x

Resuspend pellet in
0.3 M GuHCl in 95% EtOH
(2 ml per 1 ml TriPure)
Incubate pellet in wash 20 min
at 15 to 25C

Wash pellet in 75% EtOH

(1.5 2.0 ml per 1 ml TriPure)
Incubate 10 20 min at 15 to 25C
with occasional mixing

Centrifuge 7500 x g, 5 min at 2 to 8C

Discard supernatant

Centrifuge 2000 x g, 5 min

at 2 to 8C
Discard supernatant

Repeat wash step 2 x

Briey dry pellet

5 10 min under vacuum
(or air dry)
Dissolve pellet in 8 mM NaOH

Wash protein pellet in

2 ml 100% EtOH
Vortex
Incubate 20 min at 15 to 25C

Adjust pH to 7.0 8.0 with HEPES

Buffer and adjust to 1 mM EDTA

Centrifuge at 7500 x g, 5 min at 2 to 8C

Discard supernatant

Store DNA at 2 to 8C

Dry pellet under vacuum 5 10 min

(or air dry)
Add 1% SDS and incubate at 50C to
dissolve pellet
Sediment insoluble material 10,000 x g,
10 min at 2 to 8C

Transfer supernatant to new tube

Store protein at 15 to 25C

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How to use the reagent

V.
During

Troubleshooting the TriPure Isolation protocol

If you get...

RNA isolation Low RNA yield

Then, the cause may be...

And you should...

Incomplete homogenization or lysis Use homogenizer to maximize

of samples
sample yields.
Incomplete solubilization of the nal Do not let RNA pellet dry
RNA pellet
completely, as a dry pellet will be
much less soluble.
Increase incubation time to 30
min at 55C to solubilize RNA.

A260/A280 ratio
<1.65

Insufcient TriPure used for sample Add a sufcient volume of

homogenization
TriPure Isolation Reagent,
according to package insert
instructions.
After homogenization, samples were Store at 15 to 25C for 5 min.
not stored for 5 min at 15 to 25C
Contamination of aqueous phase
with phenol phase

Carefully remove the upper

aqueous phase for subsequent
RNA iolation, making sure to
avoid the interphase/organic
phase.

Incomplete solubilization of the nal Increase incubation time to 30

RNA pellet
min at 55C to solubilize RNA.
RNA
degradation

Tissues were not immediately

processed or frozen after removal
from animal
Samples used for isolation procedure
were stored at 20C instead of
70C
Cells were dispersed by trypsin
digestion

Use fresh tissue or tissue that has

been directly frozen in liquid
nitrogen and stored at 70C
prior to RNA isolation.

Add TriPure Isolation Reagent

directly to cells attached to
culture dish or ask, according to
package insert instructions.

Aqueous solutions or tubes were not Use sterile disposable plasticware

RNase-free
and pipettes/tips reserved for
RNA work only.
Take appropriate precautions to
ensure RNase-free environment.
DNA
contamination

Insufcient TriPure used for sample Add a sufcient volume of

homogenization
TriPure Isolation Reagent,
according to package insert
instructions.
Starting samples contained organic
solvents (EtOH, DMSO) or strong
buffers; or had an alkaline pH

Carefully remove the upper

aqueous phase for subsequent
RNA isolation, making sure to
avoid the interphase/organic
phase.

Solution-based Isolation

161

TriPure Isolation Reagent

How to use the reagent

V.
During

Troubleshooting the TriPure Isolation protocol, continued

If you get...

DNA isolation Low DNA yield

Then, the cause may be...

And you should...

Incomplete homogenization or lysis Use power homogenizer to

of samples
maximize sample yields.
Incomplete solubilization of the nal Do not let DNA pellet dry
DNA pellet
completely, as a dry pellet will be
much less soluble.

A260/A280 ratio
<1.7

Incomplete removal of phenol from Incorporate an additional

the DNA preparation (during
sodium citrate/ethanol wash step.
ethanol/sodium citrate wash)

DNA
degradation

Tissues were not immediately

processed or frozen after removal
from animal
Samples used for isolation procedure
were stored at 20C instead of
70C

RNA
contamination

Use fresh tissue or tissue that has

been directly frozen in liquid
nitrogen and stored at 70C
prior to DNA isolation.

Samples were homogenized with a

high speed homogenizer

Avoid using power homogenizer.

Use hand-held homogenizer to
minimize shearing of high
molecular weight DNA.

Too much aqueous phase remained

with the interphase and organic
phase

Carefully remove all of the upper

aqueous phase prior to isolation
of DNA.

Inadequate wash of DNA pellet with After adding 1 ml sodium citrate/

10% EtOH/0.1 M sodium citrate
ethanol for each 1 ml TriPure
Isolation Reagent (required in
the initial homogenization
process) incubate the sample,
with occasional mixing, for 30
min at 15 to 25C.
Protein
isolation

Low protein
yield

Incomplete homogenization or lysis Use power homogenizer to

of samples
maximize sample yields.
Incomplete solubilization of the nal Incubate sample at 50C to
protein pellet
completely solubilize the protein.
Use fresh tissue or tissue that has
been directly frozen in liquid
nitrogen and stored at 70C
prior to protein isolation.

Protein
degradation

Tissues were not immediately

processed or frozen after removal
from animal

Deformed
bands in PAGE
analysis

Protein pellet not washed sufciently Incorporate an additional wash

step.

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TriPure Isolation Reagent

Typical result with the reagent

Typical result with the reagent

1

10

11

12

13

Figure 44: Northern blot with total RNA isolated by the TriPure Isolation Reagent. Total RNA was isolated
(by the TriPure protocol) from the following research samples: 1.5 x 106 cells of a human leukemia cell line, 5.0 x
107 human white blood cells, 1.7 x 107 buffy coat cells from human blood, and 500 mg rat tissue. The isolated
RNA samples were separated electrophoretically on a gel, transferred to a nylon membrane, and hybridized with
a 1 kb, digoxigenin-labeled glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) probe. The blot was incubated
overnight with DIG System reagents for chemiluminescent detection, then exposed to X-ray lm for 5 min. The
G3PDH probe recognizes a 1.35 kb mRNA, as shown in:
Lane 1: RNA ladder
Lanes 2 4: RNA from human leukemia cell line
Lanes 5 7: RNA from human white blood cell pellet
Lanes 8 10: RNA from human blood buffy coat
Lanes 11 13: RNA from rat liver tissue
The amount of total RNA applied to the original gel was either 5 g (lanes 2, 5, 8, 11), 1 g (lanes 3, 6, 9, 12), or
0.25 g (lanes 4, 7, 10, 13).

Result: This data clearly demonstrates that high quality, intact RNA is successfully isolated from a variety of
starting materials using the TriPure Isolation Reagent.

References
Baker, K. D. et al. (2007) Genes & Dev., 21, 450 464
Bakker, O. (1998) Biochemica 1, 22-23; Biochemica Information (1998) 102, 30 31
Bystriansky, J. S. and Ballantyne, J. S. (2007) Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp
Physiol, 292, R1043 1051
Chomczynski, P. (1993) BioTechniques 15, 532 537
Garry D. et al. (1996) Nature 395, 905 908
Lande-Diner, L. et al. (2007) J. Biol. Chem., 282, 12194 12200
Morris, T. et al. (1996) J. Clin. Microbiology 2933 2936
Naseem, R. H. et al. (2007) Physiol Genomics, 30, 44 52
Schummer, B. et al. (1998) Technical Tip Biochemica 2, 31 33
Steenwinckel, V. et al. (2007) J. Immunol., 178, 3244 3251
Tagkalidis, P. P. et al. (2007) J. Clin. Pathol., 60, 382 387
Voltmer-Irsch, S. et al. (2007) J. Cell Sci., 120, 1412 1422
Yin Hu et al. (1997) Molecular Pharmacology 51, 370 376
Yu, Z. et al. (2007) Drug Metab. Dispos., 35, 981 986
Zelenay, S. et al. (2007) Int. Immunol., 19, 11 18
Solution-based Isolation

163