title: DNA-free RNA preparations from mycobacteria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To understand mycobacterial pathogenesis analysis of gene expression by quantification of RNA levels becomes increasingly important. However, current preparation methods yield mycobacterial RNA that is contaminated with chromosomal DNA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After sonication of RNA samples from Mycobacterium smegmatis genomic DNA is efficiently removed by DNaseI in contrast to untreated samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This procedure eliminates one of the most prevalent error sources in quantification of RNA levels in mycobacteria.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Staudtstr, 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany. jstephan@biologie.uni-erlangen.de <jstephan@biologie.uni-erlangen.de>
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.forename: Johannes G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bail
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Titgemeyer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niederweis
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000378:metabolism*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D020102:Mycobacterium smegmatis / Q000235:genetics*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I