We describe a simple method for 3'-end labeling RNAs of known sequence
. A short DNA template is designed to anneal to the 3'-end of the RNA,
with a two nucleotide 5' overhang of 3'-TA-5', 3'-TG-5' or 3'-TC-5'.
The Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I can then cleanly and efficient
ly extend the 3'-end of the RNA by the incorporation of a single alpha
-P-32-labeled dATP residue. This method can be used to label one RNA i
n a mixture of RNAs, or to label 5'-blocked RNAs such as mRNA.