Real-Time Imaging of Single Viral mRNA Translation in Live Cells Using CRISPR/dCas13

Anal Chem. 2023 Nov 7;95(44):16298-16304. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03365. Epub 2023 Oct 24.

Abstract

Translation is one of the many critical cellular activities regulated by viruses following host-cell invasion, and studies of viral mRNA translation kinetics and subcellular localization require techniques for the dynamic, real-time visualization of translation. However, conventional tools for imaging mRNA translation often require coding region modifications that may affect native translation. Here, we achieve dynamic imaging of translation with a tool that labels target mRNAs with unmodified coding regions using a CRISPR/dCas13 system with specific complementary paired guide RNAs. This system enables a real-time dynamic visualization of the translation process and is a promising tool for further investigations of the mechanisms of translation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats*
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Viruses* / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger