Bullseye EasyScript cDNA Synthesis Kit

Application

• First strand cDNA synthesis for PCR
• Construction of cDNA libraries
• Generation of probes for hybridization

EasyScript cDNA Synthesis Kit is a complete system for the efficient synthesis of first strand cDNA from RNA templates. The recombinant RNasin Ribonuclease Inhibitor, supplied with the kit effectively protects RNA template from degradation.

The kit is also supplied with both oligo(dT) and random primers. The oligo(dT) anneals selectively on the poly(A) tail of mRNA. Random primers do not require the presence of poly(A). Therefore, they can be used for transcription of the 5'-end regions of mRNA. Gene-specific primers may also be used with the kit. The first strand of cDNA can be directly used as a template in PCR.

EasyScript Reverse Transcriptase (RTase) within the kit is a genetically modified form of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus Reverse Transcriptase (M-MLV). Both the EasyScript and EasyScript Plus are RNase H deficient (negative). The enzyme is purified from bacteria host as a single holoenzyme of 71 kDa with the capacity of first-strand cDNA synthesis of template up to 9kb and can be used for routine cDNA synthesis.

Kit Components

Storage Buffer
 
50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 100 mM NaCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 5 mM DTT, 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100, and 50% (v/v) glycerol.

Storage
 
Store at -20°C in a frost-free freezer. Multiple freezing and thawing of RNA should be avoided. Keep RNA on ice all the time. It is recommended that the first strand cDNA synthesis is carried out under conditions where RNase contamination has been eliminated.

General Protocol

RT-PCR reactions should be assembled in a RNA-free environment. The use of "clean", automatic pipettes designated for PCR and aerosol resistant barrier tips are recommended. 
1. Thaw template RNA and all reagents on ice. Mix each solution by vortexing, and centrifuge briefly to collect residual liquid from the sides of the tubes.
2. Prepare the following reaction mixture in a PCR tube on ice:

3. Incubate at 25°C for 10 minutes if random primer is used. Omit this step if Oligo(dT) primer or sequence specific primer are used.
4. Incubate the mixture at 42°C for 60 minutes.
5. Stop the reaction by heating at 85°C for 5 minutes.
6. Chill on ice. The newly synthesized first-strand cDNA now can be used directly for PCR amplification.

Notes
 
1. Isolation of poly(A)+ RNA from total RNA is not mandatory; however, doing so may improve the yield and purity of the final product.
2. RNA sample must be free of contaminating genomic DNA.
3. Unlike the oligo(dT) priming, which usually requires no optimization, the ratio of a random primer to RNA is critical in terms of the average length of cDNA synthesized in the reaction. Increasing the ratio of random primer/RNA will result in higher yield of shorter (~500 bp) cDNA, whereas decreasing this ratio will produce longer products.

4. The synthesized cDNA should be stored at -20°C.