Question

In in vitro transcription Why is RNase inhibitor utilized in the reaction?

Answer 1

Answer.

In vitro transcription:

• Production of RNA in a tube using an RNA polymerase {It is an enzyme}, ribonucleotides, and appropriate buffer conditions.
  • Example of the tube - microfuge tube.
• Or we cay say it is a simple procedure that allows for the synthesis of RNA molecules of any sequence from short oligonucleotides under in vitro condition.
  • Note: Oligonucleotides are short DNA or RNA molecules.

RNase inhibitor is utilized in the reaction (In vitro transcription):

• Because RNA is very sensitive to degradation by RNases (An enzyme).
• Ribonuclease (RNase) catalyzes the degradation of RNA into smaller components.
• So in order to protect our precious RNA from this enzyme, We use RNase inhibitor in the reaction (In vitro transcription).
  • RNase inhibitor inhibits Ribonuclease (RNase).

Note: RNases are a broad class of RNA degrading enzyme possessed by all organisms, and are extremely common in the environment. The chances of contamination of tubes and other reagents used in procedures with Ribonuclease (RNase) are high. So RNase inhibitors are commonly used as a precautionary measure in enzymatic manipulations of RNA to inhibit and control for such contaminants.