Work

Fluorogenic Covalent Probes for RNA

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Sequence-generalized fluorescent labels and stains for RNA can enable imaging, tracking and analysis of the biopolymer. However, current non-covalent RNA dyes are poorly selective for RNA over DNA, interact weakly with their target, and can show limited utility in cellular RNA staining due to poor selectivity and high background signals. Here we report a fluorogenic covalent labeling approach based on acylimidazole-mediated reaction of donor-acceptor fluorophores with 2'-hydroxyl (2'-OH) groups of RNA, providing a wavelength-tunable, sequence-independent strategy for selective labeling of the biopolymer. This reactive probe design enables labeling and imaging under mild aqueous conditions, providing up to 390-fold fluorescence enhancement and 970-fold selectivity for RNA over DNA, with four emission colors documented. The covalent fluorophore platform enables improved new tools for RNA-specific analysis and imaging in gels, in solution, and in living cells.

Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c14938

Authors: Jinwoo Shin, Moon Jung Kim, Eric T. Kool

Institutions: Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University

Language: English

Topic: Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection

Subfield: Spectroscopy

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences