title: Fluorescent probes for live-cell RNA detection.
abstract: Commonly used techniques for analyzing gene expression, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microarrays, and in situ hybridization, have proven invaluable in understanding RNA processing and regulation. However, these techniques rely on the use of lysed and/or fixed cells and are therefore limited in their ability to provide important spatial-temporal information. This has led to the development of numerous techniques for imaging RNA in living cells, some of which have already provided important insight into the dynamic role RNA plays in dictating cell behavior. Here we review the fluorescent probes that have allowed for RNA imaging in living cells and discuss their utility and limitations. Common challenges faced by fluorescent probes, such as probe design, delivery, and target accessibility, are also discussed. It is expected that continued advancements in live cell imaging of RNA will open new and exciting opportunities in a wide range of biological and medical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA. gang.bao@bme.gatech.edu
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Won Jong
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsourkas
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D018274:Electroporation; D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000295:instrumentation; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D012313:RNA