Quantitation of RNA by a fluorometric method using the SYTO RNASelect stain.

Quantitation of even trace amounts of RNA has biological significance. However, existing methods of RNA estimation are not capable of eliminating the interference of other impurities, especially DNA. In this study, we developed a rapid and sensitive method for fluorometric estimation of RNA using an RNA-specific dye, SYTO RNASelect. A good linear correlation between the fluorescence intensity and RNA concentration was observed using this method. The maximal fluorescence intensity of DNA was only 2.9% of the fluorescence intensity of 40 μg/mL RNA, demonstrating the high RNA specificity of the SYTO RNASelect method.