What is RNA stability?

RNA stability is the extent to which RNA maintains its structural integrity, without undergoing degradation by RNases, base-catalyzed and temperature-regulated hydrolysis. RNA stability could be analyzed by running the sample in agarose gel electrophoresis, wherein it should show two clear and sharp bands. The appearance of smeared bands represents RNA degradation. For eukaryotic samples, two sharp bands would correspond to 28S and 18S RNA. From the intensity of the bands, the ratio between 28S and 18S RNA would be 2:1.