RNA Extraction and Northern Blot Analysis

Total RNA was purified from Xoc BLS256 liquid cultures (OD₆₀₀ = 1.0) using the EasyPure RNA Kit (Transgen Biotech, Beijing, China). RNA (10–20 μg) was separated in 1% agarose gels containing 25 mM guanidium thiocyanate, transferred to Hybond N+ nitrocellulose membranes (Merck Millipore, USA), and cross-linked to membranes by UV radiation. Probes were 5’-labeled with digoxygenin (DIG). Membranes were prehybridized for 10 min at 42°C, and then incubated with labeled probes overnight. Membranes were then rinsed, dried and visualized by phosphorimaging on a ChemiScope 3000 mini (CLiNX, Shanghai, China) as described previously [13 (link)].