I have used 2 methods to break spores and isolate mRNA and total RNA.
Giri and Ennis, Devel Biol 67, 189 (1978).
In this method spores are broken by grinding in a mortar and pestle.
Disadvantage: need a lot of spores.

Second method:
Kelley, Shaw and Ennis, MCB 7, 799 (1987).
In this method spores are broken by vortexing with glass beads in the  
presence of phenol. (I am sure you can use TRIzol or any other similar  
reagent in place of phenol.)  Advantage: Need few spores- reasonably  
quantitative.

Herb Ennis

Quoting Jonathan Chubb <[log in to unmask]>:

> Dear All,
> I was wondering if anyone could recommend how to break open spores   
> in a minimally invasive manner, so that one can address the   
> composition of native protein complexes.
> Thanks,
> Jonathan
>
>
>
> Dr. Jonathan Chubb
> Division of Cell and Developmental Biology
> School of Life Sciences
> University of Dundee
> Dow Street
> Dundee
> DD1 5EH
> +44 (0) 1382 386336
> The University of Dundee is a registered Scottish charity, No: SC015096
>
>