Extraction and Detection of mRNA from Horsehair

Researchers successfully extracted RNA from horsehair shafts and roots, detecting mRNAs of beta-actin, muscle-type phosphofructokinase, and transforming growth factor-beta1 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. While RNA amounts were low, mRNA transcripts were detectable with more than three hair roots, but detection was challenging in hair shafts. This indicated that residual RNA in horsehair roots could be used for molecular biological analysis.