Quantitative analysis of miRNAs using SplintR ligase-mediated ligation of complementary-pairing probes enhanced by RNase H (SPLICER)-qPCR

Here, a method using SplintR ligase-mediated ligation of complementary-pairing probes enhanced by RNase H (SPLICER) for miRNAs quantification was established. The strategy has two steps: (1) ligation of two DNA probes specifically hybridize to target miRNA and (2) qPCR amplifying the ligated probe. The miRNA-binding regions of the probes are stem-looped, a motif significantly reduces nonspecific ligation at high ligation temperature (65°C). The ends of the probes are designed complementary to form a paired probe, facilitating the recognition of target miRNAs with low concentrations. RNase H proved to be able to stabilize the heteroduplex formed by the probe and target miRNA, contributing to enhanced sensitivity (limit of detection = 60 copies). High specificity (discriminating homology miRNAs differing only one nucleotide), wide dynamic range (seven orders of magnitude) and ability to accurately detect plant miRNAs (immune to hindrance of 2'-O-methyl moiety) enable SPLICER comparable with the commercially available TaqMan and miRCURY assays. SYBR green I, rather than expensive hydrolysis or locked nucleic acid probes indispensable to TaqMan and miRCURY assays, is adequate for SPLICER. The method was efficient (<1 h), economical ($7 per sample), and robust (able to detect xeno-miRNAs in mammalian bodies), making it a powerful tool for molecular diagnosis and corresponding therapy.

Photochemical modifications for DNA/RNA oligonucleotides

Light-triggered chemical reactions can provide excellent tools to investigate the fundamental mechanisms important in biology. Light is easily applicable and orthogonal to most cellular events, and its dose and locality can be controlled in tissues and cells. Light-induced conversion of photochemical groups installed on small molecules, proteins, and oligonucleotides can alter their functional states and thus the ensuing biological events. Recently, photochemical control of DNA/RNA structure and function has garnered attention thanks to the rapidly expanding photochemistry used in diverse biological applications. Photoconvertible groups can be incorporated in the backbone, ribose, and nucleobase of an oligonucleotide to undergo various irreversible and reversible light-induced reactions such as cleavage, crosslinking, isomerization, and intramolecular cyclization reactions. In this review, we gather a list of photoconvertible groups used in oligonucleotides and summarize their reaction characteristics, impacts on DNA/RNA thermal stability and structure, as well as their biological applications.

Smart Nucleic Acids as Future Therapeutics

Nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) hold promise in treating undruggable diseases and are recognized as the third major category of therapeutics in addition to small molecules and antibodies. Despite the milestones that NATs have made in clinical translation over the past decade, one important challenge pertains to increasing the specificity of this class of drugs. Activating NATs exclusively in disease-causing cells is highly desirable because it will safely broaden the application of NATs to a wider range of clinical indications. Smart NATs are triggered through a photo-uncaging reaction or a specific molecular input such as a transcript, protein, or small molecule, thus complementing the current strategy of targeting cells and tissues with receptor-specific ligands to enhance specificity. This review summarizes the programmable modalities that have been incorporated into NATs to build in responsive behaviors. We discuss the various inputs, transduction mechanisms, and output response functions that have been demonstrated to date.

A novel isothermal method using rolling circle reverse transcription for accurate amplification of small RNA sequences

RNA amplification has extensive applications on biochemistry and its related fields. Here, we present an isothermal strategy named rolling circle reverse transcription-mediated RNA amplification (RCRT-MRA) to amplify small RNAs with accurate length and sequence. The target RNA and complementary DNA were circularized to serve as amplicons replicated via the rolling circle mechanism. The transcription product consisting of tandemly repeated RNA units, was monomerized by site-specific cleavage to generate amplified RNA with authentic length and sequence. T4 DNA ligase was chosen to circularize RNA template for its high efficiency and low cost. SuperScript IV reverse transcriptase was found to be able to catalyze the RCRT reaction on the circular RNA template, and the reaction efficiency was enhanced by adding the nicking enzyme, Nb.BbvCI to the RCRT system. E. Coli RNA polymerase, instead of the commonly used T7 RNA polymerase, was applied to synthesize long-strand RNA product for its high universality and processivity. Under the optimized conditions, small RNAs can be precisely amplified by 10^5∼6 folds. The fidelity of the established method was demonstrated by the accordance of the sequencing result and the initial RNA sequences. Free from expensive thermal cycler (necessary for RT-PCR-based amplification), precise replication of the initial RNA and high fidelity will enable the established strategy to be applied in RNA-seq, mRNA profiling, microarray analysis and RNA-based SELEX as well.

RNA-directed off/on switch of RNase H activity using boronic ester formation

A new concept to modulate RNase H activity is presented based on the boronic acid/boronate switch.