Simple Method for Efficient RNA Extraction From Arabidopsis Embryos

Abstract

Plant embryos are contained within seeds, and isolating them is crucial when endosperm and seed coat tissues interferethe study of mutant genetic functions due to differing genotypes between maternal and embryonic tissues. RNAextraction from plant embryonic tissue presents particular challenges due to the high activity of RNases, the composition of the seed, and the risk of RNA degradation. The developmental stage of the embryo is a key aspect in the successfulisolation and RNA extraction due to the size and amount of tissue. Proper handling during RNA extraction is critical to maintain RNA integrity and prevent degradation. While commercial kits offer various methods for RNA extraction from embryos, homemade protocols provide valuable advantages, including cost-effectiveness and accessibility for labs withlimited funding. Here, we present a simple and efficient protocol for extracting RNA from isolated Arabidopsis thaliana embryos at the torpedo/cotyledon stage using a homemade extraction buffer.