fluorescent-end-labeling-encapsulation-long-rnas-for-single-molecule

Fluorescent End-Labeling and Encapsulation of Long RNAs for Single-Molecule FRET-TIRF Microscopy

Single-molecule F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) excels in studying dynamic biomolecules by allowing precise observation of their ...

University of Zurich

Fast and efficient site-specific labeling of long RNAs is one of the main bottlenecks limiting distance measurements by means of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Here, we present an optimized protocol for dual end-labeling with different fluorophores at the same time meeting the restrictions of highly labile and degradation-sensitive RNAs. We describe in detail the dual-labeling of a catalytically active wild-type group II intron as a typical representative of long functional RNAs. The modular procedure chemically activates the 5'-phosphate and the 3'-ribose for bioconjugation with a pair of fluorophores, as shown herein, or with spin labels. The mild reaction conditions preserve the structural and functional integrity of the biomacromolecule and results in covalent, dual-labeled RNA in its pre-catalytic state in yields suitable for both ensemble and single-molecule FRET experiments.

Chemical Dual End-Labeling of Large Ribozymes.

RNA splicing, the removal of introns and ligation of exons, is a crucial process during mRNA maturation. Group II introns are large ribozymes that self-catalyze their splicing, as well as their transposition. They are living fossils of spliceosomal introns and eukaryotic retroelements. The yeast mitochondrial Sc.ai5γ is the first identified and best-studied self-splicing group II intron. A combination of biochemical, biophysical, and computational tools enables studying its catalytic properties, structure, and dynamics, while also serving to develop new therapeutic and biotechnological tools. We survey the history of group II intron studies paralleling the trends in RNA methodology with Sc.ai5γ in the spotlight.

Article	Year
Chemical Dual End-Labeling of Large Ribozymes. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)\| PubMed ID: 35226323	2022
Group II Introns: Highly Structured yet Dynamic. Chimia\| PubMed ID: 38047803	2023

Esra Ahunbay

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