Current techniques for visualizing RNA in cells

Lilith V J C Mannack; Sebastian Eising; Andrea Rentmeister

doi:10.12688/f1000research.8151.1

Current techniques for visualizing RNA in cells

F1000Res. 2016 Apr 28:5:F1000 Faculty Rev-775. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.8151.1. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Lilith V J C Mannack¹, Sebastian Eising², Andrea Rentmeister¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Cells in Motion, Cluster of Excellence, Münster, Germany.
² Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Abstract

Labeling RNA is of utmost interest, particularly in living cells, and thus RNA imaging is an emerging field. There are numerous methods relying on different concepts ranging from hybridization-based probes, over RNA-binding proteins to chemo-enzymatic modification of RNA. These methods have different benefits and limitations. This review aims to outline the current state-of-the-art techniques and point out their benefits and limitations.

Keywords: RNA; imaging; proteins; visualization.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

Our work is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RE 2796/2-1 and EXC 1003 Cells in Motion – Cluster of Excellence, Münster, Germany). Andrea Rentmeister gratefully acknowledges the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie for a “Dozentenstipendium”.