title: RNA Protection is Effectively Achieved by Pullulan Film Formation.
abstract: RNA is a functionally versatile polymer but suffers from susceptibility to spontaneous and RNase-catalyzed degradation. This vulnerability makes it difficult to preserve RNA for extended periods of time, thus limiting its use in various contexts, including practical applications as functional nucleic acids. Here we present a simple method to preserve RNA by pullulan (a complex sugar produced by Aureobasidium pullulans fungus) film formation. This strategy can markedly suppress both spontaneous and RNase degradation. Importantly, the pullulan film readily dissolves in aqueous solution, thus allowing retrieval of fully functional RNA species. In order to illustrate the advantage of this protective method in a practical application, we engineered a simple paper sensor containing a bacteria-detecting RNA-cleaving DNAzyme. This detection capability of the device was unchanged after storage at room temperature for six months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Ping-Yao
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.affiliation: Biointerfaces Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6308-2205
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monsur Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Kha
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5347-4398
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tram
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada).
authors.forename: Sana
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2191-8430
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jahanshahi-Anbuhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada).
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Biointerfaces Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: John D
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3461-9824
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada).
authors.forename: Carlos D M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7410-3323
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Filipe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
authors.forename: Yingfu
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7533-6743
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D020871:RNA Stability / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005936:Glucans; D012313:RNA; C009109:pullulan
keywords: DNAzyme; RNA; bacterial detection; pullulan; sensors