DEPC

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DEPC is an acronym for di-ethyl-propyl carbonate.

Contents

[edit] Purpose

  • DEPC is typically used to treat water to remove RNases. It reacts with amine, hydroxy and thiol groups of proteins (such as RNAses) and inactivates RNAses.

[edit] Procurement

You can buy DEPC for example at Sigma.

[edit] Use

  • Treatment involves adding DEPC to 0.1% v/v and incubating at 37°C for 1 hour to overnight followed by autoclaving. Autoclaving destroys DEPC and is an essential step. Esters may be generated during autoclaving giving rise to a 'fruity' smell (that is not coming directly from DEPC).
  • Note that DEPC cannot be used with chemical solutions that have amine groups, such as Tris and HEPES buffers, or mercaptans. In such cases, use DEPC-treated water to generate the solution.

[edit] Safety

  • DEPC is very toxic and should be handled with care. Wear gloves!
  • Di-methyl-propyl carbonate (DMPC), a safer alternative to DEPC (known carcinogen), is used in exactly the same way.

[edit] References

  1. Handling RNA
  2. RNase and DEPC Treatment: Fact or Laboratory Myth
  3. Molecular biology grade DEPC from Sigma
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