Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing

Abstract Fluorogenic RNA aptamers have various applications, including use as fluorescent tags for imaging RNA trafficking and as indicators of RNA-based sensors that exhibit fluorescence upon binding small-molecule fluorophores in living cells. Current fluorogenic RNA:fluorophore complexes typicall...

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Main Authors: Zhenyin Chen, Wei Chen, Cun Xu, Haozhi Song, Xin Ji, Haodong Jiang, Hongtao Duan, Zehao Li, Wankai Gao, Tuoxin Yao, Zhongxuan Zhang, Liuqin He, Yulong Yin, Nanyang Yang, Wenjing Tian, Jiahui Wu, Xing Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55093-1
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author Zhenyin Chen
Wei Chen
Cun Xu
Haozhi Song
Xin Ji
Haodong Jiang
Hongtao Duan
Zehao Li
Wankai Gao
Tuoxin Yao
Zhongxuan Zhang
Liuqin He
Yulong Yin
Nanyang Yang
Wenjing Tian
Jiahui Wu
Xing Li
author_facet Zhenyin Chen
Wei Chen
Cun Xu
Haozhi Song
Xin Ji
Haodong Jiang
Hongtao Duan
Zehao Li
Wankai Gao
Tuoxin Yao
Zhongxuan Zhang
Liuqin He
Yulong Yin
Nanyang Yang
Wenjing Tian
Jiahui Wu
Xing Li
author_sort Zhenyin Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fluorogenic RNA aptamers have various applications, including use as fluorescent tags for imaging RNA trafficking and as indicators of RNA-based sensors that exhibit fluorescence upon binding small-molecule fluorophores in living cells. Current fluorogenic RNA:fluorophore complexes typically emit visible fluorescence. However, it is challenging to develop fluorogenic RNA with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence for in vivo imaging and sensing studies. To address this issue, we identify and modulate red fluorescent protein-like fluorophores to bind Squash, a highly folded fluorogenic RNA. One of these fluorophores, DFQL-1T, exhibits photostable NIR fluorescence when bound to Squash, enabling RNA visualization in living mammalian cells and mice. With Squash:DFQL-1T complexes, we generate RNA-based sensors for detecting non-coding RNAs and small molecule targets in living mammalian cells and in mice. These studies reveal a fluorogenic RNA:fluorophore complex that can be readily developed into NIR fluorescent RNA tags for in vivo imaging and sensing.
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issn 2041-1723
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series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-be33898b9db8493d9d332383e8398af92025-01-12T12:29:56ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-0116111510.1038/s41467-024-55093-1Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensingZhenyin Chen0Wei Chen1Cun Xu2Haozhi Song3Xin Ji4Haodong Jiang5Hongtao Duan6Zehao Li7Wankai Gao8Tuoxin Yao9Zhongxuan Zhang10Liuqin He11Yulong Yin12Nanyang Yang13Wenjing Tian14Jiahui Wu15Xing Li16Interdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesCentre for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South UniversityInstitute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesInterdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesInterdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesInterdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityInterdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesCollege of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal UniversityInterdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesCollege of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal UniversityYuelushan LaboratoryCentre for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South UniversityState Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, University of MassachusettsInterdisciplinary Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents,Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract Fluorogenic RNA aptamers have various applications, including use as fluorescent tags for imaging RNA trafficking and as indicators of RNA-based sensors that exhibit fluorescence upon binding small-molecule fluorophores in living cells. Current fluorogenic RNA:fluorophore complexes typically emit visible fluorescence. However, it is challenging to develop fluorogenic RNA with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence for in vivo imaging and sensing studies. To address this issue, we identify and modulate red fluorescent protein-like fluorophores to bind Squash, a highly folded fluorogenic RNA. One of these fluorophores, DFQL-1T, exhibits photostable NIR fluorescence when bound to Squash, enabling RNA visualization in living mammalian cells and mice. With Squash:DFQL-1T complexes, we generate RNA-based sensors for detecting non-coding RNAs and small molecule targets in living mammalian cells and in mice. These studies reveal a fluorogenic RNA:fluorophore complex that can be readily developed into NIR fluorescent RNA tags for in vivo imaging and sensing.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55093-1
spellingShingle Zhenyin Chen
Wei Chen
Cun Xu
Haozhi Song
Xin Ji
Haodong Jiang
Hongtao Duan
Zehao Li
Wankai Gao
Tuoxin Yao
Zhongxuan Zhang
Liuqin He
Yulong Yin
Nanyang Yang
Wenjing Tian
Jiahui Wu
Xing Li
Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing
Nature Communications
title Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing
title_full Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing
title_fullStr Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing
title_full_unstemmed Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing
title_short Near-infrared fluorogenic RNA for in vivo imaging and sensing
title_sort near infrared fluorogenic rna for in vivo imaging and sensing
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55093-1
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