Small-molecule fluorescent probes for specific RNA targets

Isolation of novel fluorogenic RNA aptamers via in vitro compartmentalization using microbead-display libraries

Fluorogenic RNA aptamers, which specifically bind to fluorogens and dramatically enhance their fluorescence, are valuable for imaging and detecting RNAs and metabolites in living cells. Most fluorogenic RNA aptamers have been identified and engineered through iterative rounds of in vitro selection based on their binding to target fluorogens. While such selection is an efficient approach for generating RNA aptamers, it is less efficient for isolating fluorogenic aptamers because it does not directly screen for fluorogenic properties. In this study, we combined a fluorescence-based in vitro selection technique using water-in-oil microdroplets with an affinity-based selection technique to obtain fluorogenic RNA aptamers. This approach allowed us to identify novel fluorogenic aptamers for a biotin-modified thiazole orange derivative. Our results demonstrate that our approach can expand the diversity of fluorogenic RNA aptamers, thus leading to new applications for the imaging and detection of biomolecules.

Structure-based insights into fluorogenic RNA aptamers

Fluorogenic RNA aptamers are in vitro-selected RNA molecules capable of binding to specific fluorophores, significantly increasing their intrinsic fluorescence. Over the past decade, the color palette of fluorescent RNA aptamers has greatly expanded. The emergence and development of these fluorogenic RNA aptamers has introduced a powerful approach for visualizing RNA localization and transport with high spatiotemporal resolution in live cells. To date, a variety of tertiary structures of fluorogenic RNA aptamers have been determined using X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy. Many of these fluorogenic RNA aptamers feature base quadruples or base triples in their fluorophore-binding sites. This review summarizes the structure-based investigations of fluorogenic RNA aptamers, with a focus on their overall folds, ligand-binding pockets and fluorescence activation mechanisms. Additionally, the exploration of how structures guide rational optimization to enhance RNA visualization techniques is discussed.

Imaging the dynamics of messenger RNA with a bright and stable green fluorescent RNA

Fluorescent RNAs (FRs) provide an attractive approach to visualizing RNAs in live cells. Although the color palette of FRs has been greatly expanded recently, a green FR with high cellular brightness and photostability is still highly desired. Here we develop a fluorogenic RNA aptamer, termed Okra, that can bind and activate the fluorophore ligand ACE to emit bright green fluorescence. Okra has an order of magnitude enhanced cellular brightness than currently available green FRs, allowing the robust imaging of messenger RNA in both live bacterial and mammalian cells. We further demonstrate the usefulness of Okra for time-resolved measurements of ACTB mRNA trafficking to stress granules, as well as live-cell dual-color superresolution imaging of RNA in combination with Pepper620, revealing nonuniform and distinct distributions of different RNAs throughout the granules. The favorable properties of Okra make it a versatile tool for the study of RNA dynamics and subcellular localization.

Programmable, Structure-Switching RhoBAST for Hybridization-Mediated mRNA Imaging in Living Cells

The development of fluorescent probes for visualizing endogenous RNAs in living cells is crucial to understand their complex biochemical roles. Recently, we developed RhoBAST, one of the most photostable and brightest fluorescence light-up aptamers (FLAPs), as a genetically encoded tag for imaging messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Here, we describe programmable RhoBAST sequences flanked by target-binding hybridization arms that light up only when bound to the untagged target RNA in trans. As part of the hybridization arm, we introduced a modular transducer sequence that switches the secondary structure of RhoBAST and renders it incapable of binding to its fluorogenic ligand TMR-DN. Only the specific binding of the hybridization arms to the target RNA triggers the correct folding of RhoBAST and fluorescence light-up after binding to TMR-DN. We characterized the structural switching of programmable RhoBAST sequences extensively in vitro and applied them to visualize untagged mRNAs in live bacteria.

Live cell imaging of DNA and RNA with fluorescent signal amplification and background reduction techniques

Illuminating DNA and RNA dynamics in live cell can elucidate their life cycle and related biochemical activities. Various protocols have been developed for labeling the regions of interest in DNA and RNA molecules with different types of fluorescent probes. For example, CRISPR-based techniques have been extensively used for imaging genomic loci. However, some DNA and RNA molecules can still be difficult to tag and observe dynamically, such as genomic loci in non-repetitive regions. In this review, we will discuss the toolbox of techniques and methodologies that have been developed for imaging DNA and RNA. We will also introduce optimized systems that provide enhanced signal intensity or low background fluorescence for those difficult-to-tag molecules. These strategies can provide new insights for researchers when designing and using techniques to visualize DNA or RNA molecules.

Development of Fluorescent Turn-On Probes for CAG-RNA Repeats

Fluorescent sensing of nucleic acids is a highly sensitive and efficient bioanalytical method for their study in cellular processes, detection and diagnosis in related diseases. However, the design of small molecule fluorescent probes for the selective binding and detection of RNA of a specific sequence is very challenging because of their diverse, dynamic, and flexible structures. By modifying a bis(amidinium)-based small molecular binder that is known to selectively target RNA with CAG repeats using an environment-sensitive fluorophore, a turn-on fluorescent probe featuring aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is successfully developed in this proof-of-concept study. The probe (DB-TPE) exhibits a strong, 19-fold fluorescence enhancement upon binding to a short CAG RNA, and the binding and fluorescence response was found to be specific to the overall RNA secondary structure with A·A mismatches. These promising analytical performances suggest that the probe could be applied in pathological studies, disease progression monitoring, as well as diagnosis of related neurodegenerative diseases due to expanded CAG RNA repeats.

Structure-based investigation of fluorogenic Pepper aptamer

Pepper fluorescent RNAs are a recently reported bright, stable and multicolor fluorogenic aptamer tag that enable imaging of diverse RNAs in live cells. To investigate the molecular basis of the superior properties of Pepper, we determined the structures of complexes of Pepper aptamer bound with its cognate HBC or HBC-like fluorophores at high resolution by X-ray crystallography. The Pepper aptamer folds in a monomeric non-G-quadruplex tuning-fork-like architecture composed of a helix and one protruded junction region. The near-planar fluorophore molecule intercalates in the middle of the structure and is sandwiched between one non-G-quadruplex base quadruple and one noncanonical G·U wobble helical base pair. In addition, structure-based mutational analysis is evaluated by in vitro and live-cell fluorogenic detection. Taken together, our research provides a structural basis for demystifying the fluorescence activation mechanism of Pepper aptamer and for further improvement of its future application in RNA visualization.

RNA-based cooperative protein labeling that permits direct monitoring of the intracellular concentration change of an endogenous protein

Imaging the dynamics of proteins in living cells is a powerful means for understanding cellular functions at a deeper level. Here, we report a versatile method for spatiotemporal imaging of specific endogenous proteins in living mammalian cells. The method employs a bifunctional aptamer capable of selective protein recognition and fluorescent probe-binding, which is induced only when the aptamer specifically binds to its target protein. An aptamer for β-actin protein preferentially recognizes its monomer forms over filamentous forms, resulting in selective G-actin staining in both fixed and living cells. Through actin-drug treatment, the method permitted direct monitoring of the intracellular concentration change of endogenous G-actin. This protein-labeling method, which is highly selective and non-covalent, provides rich insights into the study of spatiotemporal protein dynamics in living cells.

RNA imaging in bacteria

The spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression plays an essential role in many biological processes. Recently, several imaging-based RNA labeling and detection methods, both in fixed and live cells, were developed and now enable the study of transcript abundance, localization and dynamics. Here, we review the main single-cell techniques for RNA visualization with fluorescence microscopy and describe their applications in bacteria.

Genetically encoded RNA nanodevices for cellular imaging and regulation

Nucleic acid-based nanodevices have been widely used in the fields of biosensing and nanomedicine. Traditionally, the majority of these nanodevices were first constructed in vitro using synthetic DNA or RNA oligonucleotides and then delivered into cells. Nowadays, the emergence of genetically encoded RNA nanodevices has provided a promising alternative approach for intracellular analysis and regulation. These genetically encoded RNA-based nanodevices can be directly transcribed and continuously produced inside living cells. A variety of highly precise and programmable nanodevices have been constructed in this way during the last decade. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in the design and function of these artificial genetically encoded RNA nanodevices. In particular, we will focus on their applications in regulating cellular gene expression, imaging, logic operation, structural biology, and optogenetics. We believe these versatile RNA-based nanodevices will be broadly used in the near future to probe and program cells and other biological systems.

Recent Development of Fluorescent Light-Up RNA Aptamers

Technologies for RNA imaging in live cells play an important role in understanding the function and regulatory process of RNAs. One approach for genetically encoded fluorescent RNA imaging involves fluorescent light-up aptamers (FLAPs), which are short RNA sequences that can bind cognate fluorogens and activate their fluorescence greatly. Over the past few years, FLAPs have emerged as genetically encoded RNA-based fluorescent biosensors for the cellular imaging and detection of various targets of interest. In this review, we first give a brief overview of the development of the current FLAPs based on various fluorogens. Then we further discuss on the photocycles of the reversibly photoswitching properties in FLAPs and their photostability. Finally, we focus on the applications of FLAPs as genetically encoded RNA-based fluorescent biosensors in biosensing and bioimaging, including RNA, non-nucleic acid molecules, metal ions imaging and quantitative imaging. Their design strategies and recent cellular applications are emphasized and summarized in detail.

Development and Applications of Fluorogen/Light-Up RNA Aptamer Pairs for RNA Detection and More

The central role of RNA in living systems made it highly desirable to have noninvasive and sensitive technologies allowing for imaging the synthesis and the location of these molecules in living cells. This need motivated the development of small pro-fluorescent molecules called "fluorogens" that become fluorescent upon binding to genetically encodable RNAs called "light-up aptamers." Yet, the development of these fluorogen/light-up RNA pairs is a long and thorough process starting with the careful design of the fluorogen and pursued by the selection of a specific and efficient synthetic aptamer. This chapter summarizes the main design and the selection strategies used up to now prior to introducing the main pairs. Then, the vast application potential of these molecules for live-cell RNA imaging and other applications is presented and discussed.

Binary (Split) Light-up Aptameric Sensors

This Minireview discusses the design and applications of binary (also known as split) light-up aptameric sensors (BLAS). BLAS consist of two RNA or DNA strands and a fluorogenic organic dye added as a buffer component. When associated, the two strands form a dye-binding site, followed by an increase in fluorescence of the aptamer-bound dye. The design is cost-efficient because it uses short oligonucleotides and does not require conjugation of organic dyes with nucleic acids. In some applications, BLAS design is preferable over monolithic sensors because of simpler assay optimization and improved selectivity. RNA-based BLAS can be expressed in cells and used for the intracellular monitoring of biological molecules. BLAS have been used as reporters of nucleic acid association events in RNA nanotechnology and nucleic-acid-based molecular computation. Other applications of BLAS include the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and cancer cells, and potentially they can be tailored to report a broad range of biological analytes.

Fundamental studies of functional nucleic acids: aptamers, riboswitches, ribozymes and DNAzymes

This review aims at juxtaposing common versus distinct structural and functional strategies that are applied by aptamers, riboswitches, and ribozymes/DNAzymes. Focusing on recently discovered systems, we begin our analysis with small-molecule binding aptamers, with emphasis on in vitro-selected fluorogenic RNA aptamers and their different modes of ligand binding and fluorescence activation. Fundamental insights are much needed to advance RNA imaging probes for detection of exo- and endogenous RNA and for RNA process tracking. Secondly, we discuss the latest gene expression-regulating mRNA riboswitches that respond to the alarmone ppGpp, to PRPP, to NAD⁺, to adenosine and cytidine diphosphates, and to precursors of thiamine biosynthesis (HMP-PP), and we outline new subclasses of SAM and tetrahydrofolate-binding RNA regulators. Many riboswitches bind protein enzyme cofactors that, in principle, can catalyse a chemical reaction. For RNA, however, only one system (glmS ribozyme) has been identified in Nature thus far that utilizes a small molecule - glucosamine-6-phosphate - to participate directly in reaction catalysis (phosphodiester cleavage). We wonder why that is the case and what is to be done to reveal such likely existing cellular activities that could be more diverse than currently imagined. Thirdly, this brings us to the four latest small nucleolytic ribozymes termed twister, twister-sister, pistol, and hatchet as well as to in vitro selected DNA and RNA enzymes that promote new chemistry, mainly by exploiting their ability for RNA labelling and nucleoside modification recognition. Enormous progress in understanding the strategies of nucleic acids catalysts has been made by providing thorough structural fundaments (e.g. first structure of a DNAzyme, structures of ribozyme transition state mimics) in combination with functional assays and atomic mutagenesis.

Illuminating RNA Biology: Tools for Imaging RNA in Live Mammalian Cells

The central dogma teaches us that DNA makes RNA, which in turn makes proteins, the main building blocks of the cell. But this over simplified linear transmission of information overlooks the vast majority of the genome produces RNAs that do not encode proteins and the myriad ways that RNA regulates cellular functions. Historically, one of the challenges in illuminating RNA biology has been the lack of tools for visualizing RNA in live cells. But clever approaches for exploiting RNA binding proteins, in vitro RNA evolution, and chemical biology have resulted in significant advances in RNA visualization tools in recent years. This review provides an overview of current tools for tagging RNA with fluorescent probes and tracking their dynamics, localization andfunction in live mammalian cells.

Confocal and Super-resolution Imaging of RNA in Live Bacteria Using a Fluorogenic Silicon Rhodamine-binding Aptamer

Genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamers have been shown to be promising tools for the visualization of RNAs in living cells, helping us to advance our understanding of the broad and complex life of RNA. Although a handful of light-up aptamers spanning the visible wavelength region have been developed, none of them have yet been reported to be compatible with advanced super-resolution techniques, mainly due to poor photophysical properties of their small-molecule fluorogens. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for fluorescence microscopy of mRNA in live bacteria using the recently reported fluorogenic silicon rhodamine binding aptamer (SiRA) featuring excellent photophysical properties. Notably, with SiRA, we demonstrated the first aptamer-based RNA visualization using super-resolution (STED) microscopy. This imaging method can be especially valuable for visualization of RNA in prokaryotes since the size of a bacterium is only a few times greater than the optical resolution of a conventional microscope.

Aptamers as Modular Components of Therapeutic Nucleic Acid Nanotechnology

Nucleic acids play a central role in all domains of life, either as genetic blueprints or as regulators of various biochemical pathways. The chemical makeup of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), generally represented by a sequence of four monomers, also provides precise instructions for folding and higher-order assembly of these biopolymers that, in turn, dictate biological functions. The sequence-based specific 3D structures of nucleic acids led to the development of the directed evolution of oligonucleotides, SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), against a chosen target molecule. Among the variety of functions, selected oligonucleotides named aptamers also allow targeting of cell-specific receptors with antibody-like precision and can deliver functional RNAs without a transfection agent. The advancements in the field of customizable nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) opened avenues for the design of nanoassemblies utilizing aptamers for triggering or blocking cell signaling pathways or using aptamer-receptor combinations to activate therapeutic functionalities. A recent selection of fluorescent aptamers enables real-time tracking of NANP formation and interactions. The aptamers are anticipated to contribute to the future development of technologies, enabling an efficient assembly of functional NANPs in mammalian cells or in vivo. These research topics are of top importance for the field of therapeutic nucleic acid nanotechnology with the promises to scale up mass production of NANPs suitable for biomedical applications, to control the intracellular organization of biological materials to enhance the efficiency of biochemical pathways, and to enhance the therapeutic potential of NANP-based therapeutics while minimizing undesired side effects and toxicities.

A dimerization-based fluorogenic dye-aptamer module for RNA imaging in live cells

Live-cell imaging of RNA has remained a challenge because of the lack of naturally fluorescent RNAs. Recently developed RNA aptamers that can light-up small fluorogenic dyes could overcome this limitation, but they still suffer from poor brightness and photostability. Here, we propose a concept of cell-permeable fluorogenic dimer of sulforhodamine B dyes (Gemini-561) and corresponding dimerized aptamer (o-Coral) that can drastically enhance performance of the current RNA imaging method. The unprecedented brightness and photostability together with high affinity of this complex allowed, for the first time, direct fluorescence imaging in live mammalian cells of RNA polymerase-III transcription products as well as messenger RNAs labelled with a single copy of the aptamer, i.e. without tag multimerization. The developed fluorogenic module enables fast and sensitive detection of RNA inside live cells, while the proposed design concept opens the route to new generation of ultrabright RNA probes.

SRB-2: a promiscuous rainbow aptamer for live-cell RNA imaging

The SRB-2 aptamer originally selected against sulforhodamine B is shown here to promiscuously bind to various dyes with different colors. Binding of SRB-2 to these dyes results in either fluorescence increase or decrease, making them attractive for fluorescence microscopy and biological assays. By systematically varying fluorophore structural elements and measuring dissociation constants, the principles of fluorophore recognition by SRB-2 were analyzed. The obtained structure-activity relationships allowed us to rationally design a novel, bright, orange fluorescent turn-on probe (TMR-DN) with low background fluorescence, enabling no-wash live-cell RNA imaging. This new probe improved the signal-to-background ratio of fluorescence images by one order of magnitude over best previously known probe for this aptamer. The utility of TMR-DN is demonstrated by imaging ribosomal and messenger RNAs, allowing the observation of distinct localization patterns in bacteria and mammalian cells. The SRB-2 / TMR-DN system is found to be orthogonal to the Spinach/DFHBI and MG/Malachite green aptamer/dye systems.

"Second-generation" fluorogenic RNA-based sensors

A fluorogenic aptamer can specifically interact with a fluorophore to activate its fluorescence. These nucleic acid-based fluorogenic modules have been dramatically developed over the past decade, and have been used as versatile reporters in the sensor development and for intracellular imaging. In this review, we summarize the design principles, applications, and challenges of the first-generation fluorogenic RNA-based sensors. Moreover, we discuss some strategies to develop next-generation biosensors with improved sensitivity, selectivity, quantification property, and eukaryotic robustness. Using genetically encoded catalytic hairpin assembly strategy as an example, we further introduce a standard protocol to design, characterize, and apply these fluorogenic RNA-based sensors for in vitro detection and cellular imaging of target biomolecules. By incorporating natural RNA machineries, nucleic acid nanotechnology, and systematic evolution approaches, next-generation fluorogenic RNA-based devices can be potentially engineered to be widely applied in cell biology and biomedicine.

SiRA: A Silicon Rhodamine-Binding Aptamer for Live-Cell Super-Resolution RNA Imaging

Although genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamers have become promising tools for visualizing and tracking RNAs in living cells, aptamer/ligand pairs that emit in the far-red and near-infrared (NIR) regions are still rare. In this work, we developed a light-up RNA aptamer that binds silicon rhodamines (SiRs). SiRs are photostable, NIR-emitting fluorophores that change their open-closed equilibrium between the noncolored spirolactone and the fluorescent zwitterion in response to their environment. This property is responsible for their high cell permeability and fluorogenic behavior. Aptamers binding to SiR were in vitro selected from a combinatorial RNA library. Sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, truncation, and mutational studies revealed a 50-nucleotide minimal aptamer, SiRA, which binds with nanomolar affinity to the target SiR. In addition to silicon rhodamines, SiRA binds structurally related rhodamines and carborhodamines, making it a versatile tool spanning the far-red region of the spectrum. Photophysical characterization showed that SiRA is remarkably resistant to photobleaching and constitutes the brightest far-red light-up aptamer system known to date owing to its favorable features: a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.98 and an extinction coefficient of 86 000 M^-1cm^-1. Using the SiRA system, we visualized the expression of RNAs in bacteria in no-wash live-cell imaging experiments and also report stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution microscopy images of aptamer-based, fluorescently labeled mRNA in live cells. This work represents, to our knowledge, the first application of the popular SiR dyes and of intramolecular spirocyclization as a means of background reduction in the field of aptamer-based RNA imaging. We anticipate a high potential for this novel RNA labeling tool to address biological questions.

Structural basis for activation of fluorogenic dyes by an RNA aptamer lacking a G-quadruplex motif

The DIR2s RNA aptamer, a second-generation, in-vitro selected binder to dimethylindole red (DIR), activates the fluorescence of cyanine dyes, DIR and oxazole thiazole blue (OTB), allowing detection of two well-resolved emission colors. Using Fab BL3-6 and its cognate hairpin as a crystallization module, we solved the crystal structures of both the apo and OTB-SO₃ bound forms of DIR2s at 2.0 Å and 1.8 Å resolution, respectively. DIR2s adopts a compact, tuning fork-like architecture comprised of a helix and two short stem-loops oriented in parallel to create the ligand binding site through tertiary interactions. The OTB-SO₃ fluorophore binds in a planar conformation to a claw-like structure formed by a purine base-triple, which provides a stacking platform for OTB-SO_3, and an unpaired nucleotide, which partially caps the binding site from the top. The absence of a G-quartet or base tetrad makes the DIR2s aptamer unique among fluorogenic RNAs with known 3D structure.

The DIR2s RNA aptamer activates the fluorescence of cyanine dyes allowing detection of two well-resolved emission colors. Here authors solve the crystal structures of the apo and OTB-SO3 fluorophore-bound DIR2s and show how the fluorophore ligand is bound.

Live-cell imaging of multiple endogenous mRNAs permits the direct observation of RNA granule dynamics

Here, we developed two pairs of high-contrast chemical probes and their RNA aptamers with distinct readout channels that permitted simultaneous live-cell imaging of endogenous β-actin and cortactin mRNAs. Application of this technology allowed the direct observation of the formation process of stress granules, protein-RNA assemblies essential for cellular response to the environment.

Visualizing RNA in Live Bacterial Cells Using Fluorophore- and Quencher-Binding Aptamers

To elucidate the roles, dynamics, and regulation of RNAs, it is vital to be able to visualize the RNA of interest (ROI) in living cells noninvasively. Here, we describe a novel live-cell RNA imaging method using fluorophore- and quencher-binding aptamers, which can be genetically fused to the ROI. In this method, new membrane permeable and nonfluorescent fluorophore-quencher conjugates were utilized, and we showed that their fluorescence increases dramatically upon binding to fluorophore- or quencher-binding aptamers. This phenomenon allowed for labeling the ROI with many different colored fluorophores and also dual-color imaging of two distinct RNAs in live bacteria. Our approach uses small RNA tags and small molecule fluorophores for labeling, thereby minimal perturbation on the function and dynamics of the RNA of interest is expected.

Method for Imaging Live-Cell RNA Using an RNA Aptamer and a Fluorescent Probe

Live-cell imaging of mRNA dynamics is increasingly important to understanding spatially restricted gene expression. We recently developed a convenient and versatile method that uses a gene-specific RNA aptamer and a fluorescent probe to enable spatiotemporal imaging of endogenous mRNAs in living cells. The method was validated by live-cell imaging of the endogenous mRNA of β-actin. The new RNA-imaging technology might be useful for live-cell imaging of any RNA molecules.

Light-Up RNA Aptamers and Their Cognate Fluorogens: From Their Development to Their Applications

An RNA-based fluorogenic module consists of a light-up RNA aptamer able to specifically interact with a fluorogen to form a fluorescent complex. Over the past decade, significant efforts have been devoted to the development of such modules, which now cover the whole visible spectrum, as well as to their engineering to serve in a wide range of applications. In this review, we summarize the different strategies used to develop each partner (the fluorogen and the light-up RNA aptamer) prior to giving an overview of their applications that range from live-cell RNA imaging to the set-up of high-throughput drug screening pipelines. We then conclude with a critical discussion on the current limitations of these modules and how combining in vitro selection with screening approaches may help develop even better molecules.

A genetically encoded fluorescent tRNA is active in live-cell protein synthesis

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) perform essential tasks for all living cells. They are major components of the ribosomal machinery for protein synthesis and they also serve in non-ribosomal pathways for regulation and signaling metabolism. We describe the development of a genetically encoded fluorescent tRNA fusion with the potential for imaging in live Escherichia coli cells. This tRNA fusion carries a Spinach aptamer that becomes fluorescent upon binding of a cell-permeable and non-toxic fluorophore. We show that, despite having a structural framework significantly larger than any natural tRNA species, this fusion is a viable probe for monitoring tRNA stability in a cellular quality control mechanism that degrades structurally damaged tRNA. Importantly, this fusion is active in E. coli live-cell protein synthesis allowing peptidyl transfer at a rate sufficient to support cell growth, indicating that it is accommodated by translating ribosomes. Imaging analysis shows that this fusion and ribosomes are both excluded from the nucleoid, indicating that the fusion and ribosomes are in the cytosol together possibly engaged in protein synthesis. This fusion methodology has the potential for developing new tools for live-cell imaging of tRNA with the unique advantage of both stoichiometric labeling and broader application to all cells amenable to genetic engineering.

Making the Message Clear: Concepts for mRNA Imaging

The transcriptome of each individual cell contains numerous RNA species, each of which can be controlled by multiple mechanisms during their lifetime. The standard transcriptome analysis focuses on the expression levels of the genes of interest. To gain additional insights into spatiotemporal RNA distribution and the underlying trafficking processes, RNA labeling and imaging are necessary-ideally in living cells. This perspective will summarize state-of-the-art RNA imaging methods including their strengths and weaknesses.

Light-up fluorophore--DNA aptamer pair for label-free turn-on aptamer sensors

We developed a light-up fluorophore-DNA aptamer pair for label-free aptamer sensors that fluoresce upon binding to the analyte. A 42mer DNA aptamer binding to the environment-sensitive fluorophore, dapoxyl, which increased the fluorescence by more than 700-fold upon binding, was successfully used to construct aptamer sensors by fusion with analyte-binding DNA aptamers.

Fluorophore-binding RNA aptamers and their applications

Why image RNA? Of all the biological molecules, RNA exhibits the most diverse range of functions. Evidence suggests that transcription produces a wide range of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), both short (e.g., siRNAs, miRNAs) and long (e.g., telomeric RNAs) that regulate many aspects of gene expression, including the epigenetic processes that underlie cell fate determination, polarization, and morphogenesis. All these functions are realized through the exquisite temporal and spatial control of RNA expression levels and the stability of specific RNAs within well-defined sub-cellular compartments. Given the central importance of RNA in dictating cell behavior via gene-related functions, there is a great demand for RNA imaging methods so as to determine the composition of the cellular 'transcriptome' and to acquire a complete spatial-temporal profile of RNA localization. Recent advances in fluorophore-binding RNA aptamers promise to provide exactly this knowledge, which can ultimately advance our understanding of cell function and behavior in conditions of health and disease, and in response to external stimuli. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:843-851. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1383 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Selection and Biosensor Application of Aptamers for Small Molecules

Small molecules play a major role in the human body and as drugs, toxins, and chemicals. Tools to detect and quantify them are therefore in high demand. This review will give an overview about aptamers interacting with small molecules and their selection. We discuss the current state of the field, including advantages as well as problems associated with their use and possible solutions to tackle these. We then discuss different kinds of small molecule aptamer-based sensors described in literature and their applications, ranging from detecting drinking water contaminations to RNA imaging.

Dual-colour imaging of RNAs using quencher- and fluorophore-binding aptamers

In order to gain deeper insight into the functions and dynamics of RNA in cells, the development of methods for imaging multiple RNAs simultaneously is of paramount importance. Here, we describe a modular approach to image RNA in living cells using an RNA aptamer that binds to dinitroaniline, an efficient general contact quencher. Dinitroaniline quenches the fluorescence of different fluorophores when directly conjugated to them via ethylene glycol linkers by forming a non-fluorescent intramolecular complex. Since the binding of the RNA aptamer to the quencher destroys the fluorophore-quencher complex, fluorescence increases dramatically upon binding. Using this principle, a series of fluorophores were turned into fluorescent turn-on probes by conjugating them to dinitroaniline. These probes ranged from fluorescein-dinitroaniline (green) to TexasRed-dinitroaniline (red) spanning across the visible spectrum. The dinitroaniline-binding aptamer (DNB) was generated by in vitro selection, and was found to bind all probes, leading to fluorescence increase in vitro and in living cells. When expressed in E. coli, the DNB aptamer could be labelled and visualized with different-coloured fluorophores and therefore it can be used as a genetically encoded tag to image target RNAs. Furthermore, combining contact-quenched fluorogenic probes with orthogonal DNB (the quencher-binding RNA aptamer) and SRB-2 aptamers (a fluorophore-binding RNA aptamer) allowed dual-colour imaging of two different fluorescence-enhancing RNA tags in living cells, opening new avenues for studying RNA co-localization and trafficking.

Live-cell imaging of endogenous mRNAs with a small molecule

Determination of subcellular localization and dynamics of mRNA is increasingly important to understanding gene expression. A new convenient and versatile method is reported that permits spatiotemporal imaging of specific non-engineered RNAs in living cells. The method uses transfection of a plasmid encoding a gene-specific RNA aptamer, combined with a cell-permeable synthetic small molecule, the fluorescence of which is restored only when the RNA aptamer hybridizes with its cognitive mRNA. The method was validated by live-cell imaging of the endogenous mRNA of β-actin. Application of the technology to mRNAs of a total of 84 human cytoskeletal genes allowed us to observe cellular dynamics of several endogenous mRNAs including arfaptin-2, cortactin, and cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 2. The RNA-imaging technology and its further optimization might permit live-cell imaging of any RNA molecules.

In vitro selection of RNA aptamers for a small-molecule dye

Artificial riboswitches can be generated by functional coupling of an RNA aptamer for synthetic small molecule to an expression platform. RNA aptamers that can bind strongly and selectively to their target are feasible to be used for obtaining more potent artificial riboswitches. In this chapter, we describe tips and notes for in vitro selection of RNA aptamers targeting synthetic small molecules.

Universal aptamer-based real-time monitoring of enzymatic RNA synthesis

In vitro transcription is an essential laboratory technique for enzymatic RNA synthesis. Unfortunately, no methods exist for analyzing quality and quantity of the synthesized RNA while the transcription proceeds. Here we describe a simple, robust, and universal system for monitoring and quantifying the synthesis of any RNA in real time without interference from abortive transcription byproducts. The distinguishing feature is a universal fluorescence module (UFM), consisting of the eGFP-like Spinach aptamer and a highly active hammerhead ribozyme, which is appended to the RNA of interest (ROI). In the transcription mixture, the primary transcript is cleaved rapidly behind the ROI, thereby releasing always the same UFM, independent of the ROI sequence, polymerase, or promoter used. The UFM binds to the target of the Spinach aptamer, the fluorogenic dye DFHBI, and thereby induces a strong fluorescence signal. This design allows real-time quantification, standardization, parallelization, and high-throughput screening.

A strategy to enhance the binding affinity of fluorophore-aptamer pairs for RNA tagging with neomycin conjugation

Fluorogenic sulforhodamine-neomycin conjugates have been designed and synthesized for RNA tagging. Conjugates were fluorescently activated by binding to RNA aptamers and exhibited greater than 250-400 fold enhancement in binding affinity relative to corresponding unconjugated fluorophores.

Challenges and opportunities for small molecule aptamer development

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to targets with high affinity and selectivity. Their use as molecular recognition elements has emerged as a viable approach for biosensing, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Despite this potential, relatively few aptamers exist that bind to small molecules. Small molecules are important targets for investigation due to their diverse biological functions as well as their clinical and commercial uses. Novel, effective molecular recognition probes for these compounds are therefore of great interest. This paper will highlight the technical challenges of aptamer development for small molecule targets, as well as the opportunities that exist for their application in biosensing and chemical biology.

Challenges and opportunities for small molecule aptamer development

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to targets with high affinity and selectivity. Their use as molecular recognition elements has emerged as a viable approach for biosensing, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Despite this potential, relatively few aptamers exist that bind to small molecules. Small molecules are important targets for investigation due to their diverse biological functions as well as their clinical and commercial uses. Novel, effective molecular recognition probes for these compounds are therefore of great interest. This paper will highlight the technical challenges of aptamer development for small molecule targets, as well as the opportunities that exist for their application in biosensing and chemical biology.

Aptamer-based molecular imaging

Molecular imaging has greatly advanced basic biology and translational medicine through visualization and quantification of single/multiple molecular events temporally and spatially in a cellular context and in living organisms. Aptamers, short single-stranded nucleic acids selected in vitro to bind a broad range of target molecules avidly and specifically, are ideal molecular recognition elements for probe development in molecular imaging. This review summarizes the current state of aptamer-based biosensor development (probe design and imaging modalities) and their application in imaging small molecules, nucleic acids and proteins mostly in a cellular context with some animal studies. The article is concluded with a brief discussion on the perspective of aptamer-based molecular imaging.

Nanomolar fluorescent detection of c-di-GMP using a modular aptamer strategy

C-di-GMP regulates important processes involved in biofilm formation and virulence factors production in several bacteria. Herein we report a simple fluorescent strategy that allows for the detection of c-di-GMP (as low as 320 nM) using a Vc2 class I riboswitch domain as the sensing region and spinach as the fluorescent reporting module.