Workflow of a RNP purification using RNA aptamers as affinity tag. The RNA gene of interest can be tagged with an aptamer in the cell by introduction of a plasmid or by incorporation into the genome. During cell growth, expression of the aptamer may be induced chemically depending on the promoter used to generate cells containing the RNP. Cells are then lysed by one of several methods of chemical or mechanical lysis such as lysozyme digestion or high-pressure cell disruption, respectively. RNPs are subsequently isolated from the lysate by binding of the RNA aptamer to a ligand-derivatized resin. Following removal of unbound cell proteins and other RNAs in the lysate, the RNP is eluted by addition of excess ligand or through other methods based on the aptamer-ligand system used. Created in BioRender (Rocca and Kothe 2025, https://BioRender.com/u96m804).
