Visualizing RNA splicing in vivo

Abstract

Ribozymes are RNA molecules capable of associating with other RNA molecules through base-pairing and catalyzing various reactions involving phosphate group transfer. Of particular interest to us is the well known ribozyme from Tetrahymena thermophila capable of catalyzing RNA splicing in eukaryotic systems, chiefly because of its potential use as a gene therapy agent. In this article we review the progress made towards visualizing the RNA splicing mediated by the Tetrahymena ribozyme in single living mammalian cells with the β-lactamase reporter system and highlight the development made in imaging RNA splicing with the luciferase reporter system in living animals.