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BioMed Central, Investigative Genetics, 1(4), 2013

DOI: 10.1186/2041-2223-4-7

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Long-term RNA persistence in postmortem contexts

Journal article published in 2013 by Sarah L. Fordyce, Marie-Louise Kampmann, Nienke L. van Doorn, M. Thomas P. Gilbert ORCID, M. Thomas P. Gilbert
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Abstract Ribonucleic acids (RNA) are generally considered fragile molecules that are readily degraded. However, there is growing documentation of long-term (from days to centuries) RNA persistence in a variety of contexts and tissue types, and as such a number of academic disciplines are beginning to exploit degraded RNA. While the reasons for its survival are not fully understood, there are several plausible mechanisms that would safeguard this molecule against degradation. However, after examining the literature available on the postmortem instability and decay mechanisms of RNA, it has become clear that limited experimental studies and no reviews offer an overview of these mechanisms. Hence in this review we outline molecular reasons for RNA surviving long-term postmortem, and provide specific examples of RNA survival in forensic, archival and archaeological contexts. A better understanding of the mechanisms of RNA decay will be crucial for developing expectations on its long-term survival.