Abstract
Fluorogenic RNA aptamers bind and activate the fluorescence of otherwise nonfluorescent dyes. However, fluorogenic aptamers are limited by the small number of fluorogenic dyes suitable for use in live cells. In this communication, fluorogenic proteins whose fluorescence is activated by RNA aptamers are described. Fluorogenic proteins are highly unstable until they bind RNA aptamers inserted into messenger RNAs, resulting in fluorescent RNA-protein complexes that enable live imaging of mRNA in living cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics
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Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism*
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
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Fluorescence*
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Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
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HEK293 Cells
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Humans
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Luminescent Proteins / genetics
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Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
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Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
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Molecular Imaging / methods*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis*
Substances
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Aptamers, Nucleotide
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Bacterial Proteins
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Luminescent Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria