Rnase Protection Assay

Ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) is a technique used to quantify gene expression in a biological sample. It uses a small piece of labelled RNA that is complementary to a particular target sequence, called an "antisense RNA probe". This probe binds to the target sequence, forming a complex that includes both the target and the probe. The complex is then treated with a ribonuclease enzyme which cleaves the RNA at the target sequence, leaving the probe intact. The amount of probe remaining after the treatment is then measured, providing a quantitative measure of the target gene's expression. RPA is a powerful tool for studying gene expression in a wide range of biological and research contexts. It is also used in diagnostic applications, such as detecting the presence of a gene in disease states.