Effects of staining, buffer washing and denaturing agents on the transferrability of RNA fractionated on a methylmercury hydroxide-agarose gel to a nitrocellulose membrane were studied. Ethidium bromide staining and ammonium acetate buffer washing inhibited RNA transfer, while 3% HCHO and 0.5 M NaOH treatments stimulated transfer which was negated in the ammonium acetate buffer. Accordingly, maintenance of primary structure of RNA was proved to be essential for transferring RNA from the methylmercury hydroxideagarose gel to the nitrocellulose membrane.