Rongjin, This may not work for you if your RNA is very small, but I have used the coomassie stain described here:
http://newjournal.kcsnet.or.kr/main/j_search/j_download.htm?code=B021105 to stain dissolved complex crystals run on SDS-PAGE gels. I have found that it efficiently stains nucleic acids as well as proteins. It takes about 24 hours for the stain to reach maximum intensity for the nucleic acids. --paul Rongjin Guan wrote: > Dear All > > I am trying to co-crystallize a protein and dsRNA complex, and looking > for methods > to detect RNA in the crystals. I am thinking about using Mass Spectrum, > Nanodrop to > measure OD280/260, etc, but I wonder if ther are some more sensitive and > reliable ways. > > The crystals are grown in high concentration salts; the size is usually > small but I do > have several big ones which can be easily fished out. They can be dyed > so definitely > not salt crystals. > > Thanks > > Rongjin Guan -- Paul Paukstelis, Ph.D. Research Associate Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology The University of Texas at Austin P: 512-471-4778, F: 512-232-3420 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
