TRIzol is a widely used chemical solution used in the extraction of DNA,

RNA Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes. RNA and deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) are nucleic acids. Along with lipids, proteins, and carbohydra ...

, and proteins from cells. The solution was initially used and published by Piotr Chomczyński and

Nicoletta Sacchi Nicoletta Sacchi (born August 20, 1949) is an Italian professor of oncology at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is the co-discoverer of the acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction method to extract RNA from bi ...

in 1987. TRIzol is the brand name of

guanidinium thiocyanate Guanidinium thiocyanate (GTC) or guanidinium isothiocyanate (GITC) is a chemical compound used as a general protein denaturant, being a chaotropic agent, although it is most commonly used as a nucleic acid protector in the extraction of DNA and ...

from the Ambion part of Life Technologies, and Tri-Reagent is the brand name from MRC, which was founded by Chomczynski.

Uses in extraction

The correct name of the method is

guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction Acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction (abbreviated AGPC) is a liquid–liquid extraction technique in biochemistry. It is widely used in molecular biology for isolating RNA (as well as DNA and protein in some cases). This meth ...

. The use of TRIzol can result in DNA yields comparable to other extraction methods, and it leads to >50% bigger RNA yield. An alternative method for

RNA extraction RNA extraction is the purification of RNA from biological samples. This procedure is complicated by the ubiquitous presence of ribonuclease enzymes in cells and tissues, which can rapidly degrade RNA. Several methods are used in molecular biology ...

is phenol extraction and TCA/acetone precipitation. Chloroform should be exchanged with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane when using the new generation TRI Reagent. DNA and RNA from TRIzol and TRI reagent can also be extracted using the Direct-zol Miniprep kit by Zymo Research. This method eliminates the use of Chloroform and 1-bromo-3-chloropropane completely, bypassing phase-separation and precipitation steps. TRIzol is light-sensitive and is often stored in a dark-colored, glass container covered in foil. It is stored at room temperature. When used, it resembles cough syrup, bright pink. The smell of the

phenol Phenol (also called carbolic acid) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it ...

is extremely strong. TRIzol works by maintaining RNA integrity during tissue homogenization, while at the same time disrupting and breaking down cells and cell components.

Hazards

Vigilant caution should be taken while using TRIzol (due to the

and chloroform). TRIzol is labeled as acute oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity besides skin corrosion/irritation in the manufacturer MDS. Exposure to TRIzol can be a serious health hazard. Exposure can lead to serious chemical burns, permanent scarring and kidney failure. Experiments should be performed under a chemical hood, with lab coat, nitrile gloves and a plastic apron. Material Safety data sheet from MRC

References

External links

RNA extraction using trizol protocol on OpenWetWare
Molecular biology Biochemistry methods {{product-stub