A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking

Abstract A complete understanding of RNA biology requires methods for tracking transcripts in vivo. Common strategies rely on fluorogenic probes that are limited in sensitivity, dynamic range, and depth of interrogation, owing to their need for excitation light and tissue autofluorescence. To overco...

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Main Authors: Lila P. Halbers, Kyle H. Cole, Kevin K. Ng, Erin B. Fuller, Christelle E. T. Chan, Chelsea Callicoatte, Mariajose Metcalfe, Claire C. Chen, Ahfnan A. Barhoosh, Edison Reid-McLaughlin, Alexandra D. Kent, Zachary R. Torrey, Oswald Steward, Andrej Lupták, Jennifer A. Prescher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54263-5
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author Lila P. Halbers
Kyle H. Cole
Kevin K. Ng
Erin B. Fuller
Christelle E. T. Chan
Chelsea Callicoatte
Mariajose Metcalfe
Claire C. Chen
Ahfnan A. Barhoosh
Edison Reid-McLaughlin
Alexandra D. Kent
Zachary R. Torrey
Oswald Steward
Andrej Lupták
Jennifer A. Prescher
author_facet Lila P. Halbers
Kyle H. Cole
Kevin K. Ng
Erin B. Fuller
Christelle E. T. Chan
Chelsea Callicoatte
Mariajose Metcalfe
Claire C. Chen
Ahfnan A. Barhoosh
Edison Reid-McLaughlin
Alexandra D. Kent
Zachary R. Torrey
Oswald Steward
Andrej Lupták
Jennifer A. Prescher
author_sort Lila P. Halbers
collection DOAJ
description Abstract A complete understanding of RNA biology requires methods for tracking transcripts in vivo. Common strategies rely on fluorogenic probes that are limited in sensitivity, dynamic range, and depth of interrogation, owing to their need for excitation light and tissue autofluorescence. To overcome these challenges, we report a bioluminescent platform for serial imaging of RNAs. The RNA tags are engineered to recruit light-emitting luciferase fragments (termed RNA lanterns) upon transcription. Robust photon production is observed for RNA targets both in cells and in live animals. Importantly, only a single copy of the tag is necessary for sensitive detection, in sharp contrast to fluorescent platforms requiring multiple repeats. Overall, this work provides a foundational platform for visualizing RNA dynamics from the micro to the macro scale.
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spelling doaj-art-14957cc7b6ef4cfaba2c4a0e3ebee9ec2025-08-20T02:33:31ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-11-0115111210.1038/s41467-024-54263-5A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA trackingLila P. Halbers0Kyle H. Cole1Kevin K. Ng2Erin B. Fuller3Christelle E. T. Chan4Chelsea Callicoatte5Mariajose Metcalfe6Claire C. Chen7Ahfnan A. Barhoosh8Edison Reid-McLaughlin9Alexandra D. Kent10Zachary R. Torrey11Oswald Steward12Andrej Lupták13Jennifer A. Prescher14Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Chemistry, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Chemistry, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Chemistry, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Chemistry, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, IrvineAbstract A complete understanding of RNA biology requires methods for tracking transcripts in vivo. Common strategies rely on fluorogenic probes that are limited in sensitivity, dynamic range, and depth of interrogation, owing to their need for excitation light and tissue autofluorescence. To overcome these challenges, we report a bioluminescent platform for serial imaging of RNAs. The RNA tags are engineered to recruit light-emitting luciferase fragments (termed RNA lanterns) upon transcription. Robust photon production is observed for RNA targets both in cells and in live animals. Importantly, only a single copy of the tag is necessary for sensitive detection, in sharp contrast to fluorescent platforms requiring multiple repeats. Overall, this work provides a foundational platform for visualizing RNA dynamics from the micro to the macro scale.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54263-5
spellingShingle Lila P. Halbers
Kyle H. Cole
Kevin K. Ng
Erin B. Fuller
Christelle E. T. Chan
Chelsea Callicoatte
Mariajose Metcalfe
Claire C. Chen
Ahfnan A. Barhoosh
Edison Reid-McLaughlin
Alexandra D. Kent
Zachary R. Torrey
Oswald Steward
Andrej Lupták
Jennifer A. Prescher
A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking
Nature Communications
title A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking
title_full A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking
title_fullStr A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking
title_full_unstemmed A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking
title_short A modular platform for bioluminescent RNA tracking
title_sort modular platform for bioluminescent rna tracking
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54263-5
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