DEPCbehandlet

DEPCbehandlet refers to liquids or surfaces that have been treated with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) to inactivate ribonucleases (RNases) and thereby create RNase-free conditions for work involving RNA. The term is commonly used in molecular biology in Danish-speaking contexts to describe water, buffers, glassware, or other materials that have undergone DEPC treatment to reduce RNase activity.

The standard purpose of DEPC treatment is to minimize RNase contamination during RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and other RNA-sensitive procedures. A typical preparation involves adding a small volume of DEPC to the liquid to reach a final concentration around 0.1% (v/v), mixing, and incubating at room temperature for several hours (often 8–24 hours). After the incubation, the solution is treated to destroy residual DEPC, most commonly by autoclaving. The resulting RNase-free material, such as DEPC-treated water, is then used promptly or stored under appropriate conditions for RNA work.

Safety and handling considerations are important. DEPC is hazardous and should be handled in a fume hood with appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves and eye protection. It reacts with amines and can be irritant; it should be kept away from moisture and stored according to safety guidelines. After treatment, autoclaving is used to inactivate residual DEPC and ensure the material is suitable for RNase-sensitive applications. Some laboratories opt for commercially certified RNase-free reagents to avoid DEPC handling, though DEPC-treated preparations remain a long-standing method for achieving RNase-free conditions.

Limitations include the need for strict handling to prevent recontamination, potential incompatibilities with certain reagents, and the requirement to verify RNase-free status before use in critical experiments.