Single Cell Type Specific RNA Isolation and Gene Expression Analysis in Rice Using Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM)-Based Method.

The success of single cell type-specific gene expression or functional study largely depends on the efficient isolation of high-quality RNA from them. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is an efficient technique that allows accessing and dissecting out a specific individual cell or cell type from a microscopic heterogeneous tissue in a minimally disruptive way. Here, we describe an efficient and inexpensive LCM-based method for the extraction of RNAs with high yield and integrity from laser-microdissected mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of rice leaf. The integrity of isolated RNA is assessed with bioanalyzer analysis, and the presence of mRNA of a specific gene is validated through RT-PCR. This RNA could further be used for uncovering single cell type-specific gene expression signature using next-generation transcriptome sequence or through regular RT-PCR.