FAQs

For sample storage we recommend using RiboShield® RNase inhibitor as a 100x solution (i.e., the concentration of RNase inhibitor in the storage buffer should be 0.4 U/μL).  This final concentration can be exceeded without negatively affecting downstream enzymatic reactions, but is generally unnecessary, unless you suspect RNase contamination.

All PCRBIO products for 1-step and 2-step RT-PCR and RT-qPCR, as well as for cDNA synthesis, already contain the RNase inhibitor, so there is no need to add RiboShield® RNase inhibitor when using these products.

If used with other kits, we recommend adding 1µL (40U) of RiboShield® RNase inhibitor in a reaction mix of 20µL. In case the source of RNA is known to be rich in RNases, a titration may be required to verify full protection of the ribonucleic acid.

RiboShield® RNase inhibitor is designed for use in RNA-sensitive applications such as RT-qPCR, cDNA synthesis and RNA-seq, where the presence of even small amounts of RNase can be detrimental to RNA quality and experimental outcome. In addition, it can also be added to extracted RNA to preserve RNA quality in areas with high likelihood of RNAse contamination or to RNA extraction buffers such as those used in Pereira et al., 2010, to help improve the preservation of RNA integrity as you progress through your workflow.

(Pereira MJB, Behera V, Walter NG (2010) Nondenaturing Purification of Co-Transcriptionally Folded RNA Avoids Common Folding Heterogeneity. PLOS ONE 5(9): e12953. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012953)

RiboShield® RNase inhibitor acts as a shield against the degradation of target RNA which can be caused by ribonuclease contamination of the RNA preparation.

RiboShield® RNase inhibitor is a protein-based inhibitor that non-covalently binds and blocks the activity of the most common and troublesome RNases, including eukaryotic RNases of the neutral type (e.g. RNases A, B and C). It does not inhibit RNases T1, T2, U1, U2, CL3, RNase I and H.