Issue 16, 2020

Genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamers and their applications for imaging and biosensing

Abstract

Intracellular small ligands and biomacromolecules are playing crucial roles not only as executors but also as regulators. It is essential to develop tools to investigate their dynamics to interrogate their functions and reflect the cellular status. Light-up RNA aptamers are RNA sequences that can bind with their cognate nonfluorescent fluorogens and greatly activate their fluorescence. The emergence of genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamers has provided fascinating tools for studying intracellular small ligands and biomacromolecules owing to their high fluorescence activation degree and facile programmability. Here we review the burgeoning field of light-up RNA aptamers. We first briefly introduce light-up RNA aptamers with a focus on the photophysical properties of the fluorogens. Then design strategies of genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamer based sensors including turn-on, signal amplification and ratiometric rationales are emphasized.

Graphical abstract: Genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamers and their applications for imaging and biosensing

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
26 nóv. 2019
Accepted
07 jan. 2020
First published
16 jan. 2020

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020,8, 3382-3392

Genetically encoded light-up RNA aptamers and their applications for imaging and biosensing

P. Swetha, Z. Fan, F. Wang and J. Jiang, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020, 8, 3382 DOI: 10.1039/C9TB02668A

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