Purification of specific adenovirus 2 RNAs by preparative hybridization and selective thermal elution

A method is described for the preparation isolation of highly purified adenovirus RNA species. Cytoplasmic RNAs from cells infected with adenovirus 2 were selected by hybridization to viral DNA fragments bound to nitrocellulose membranes. A series of washes at elevated temperatures (50-70 degrees) determined conditions at which the true hybrids were stable but non-specific RNA was removed. This temperature has been found to correlate with the base composition of the DNA fragment. After washing at this predetermined temperature, the specific RNA was eluted at 85 degrees. The purity of the eluted RNA was greater than 95% as determined by size, sequence specificity, and template activity in an in vitro protein synthesizing system. The method described should be generally useful for purification of specific RNAs.