In situ imaging of mRNA transcripts based on split-aptamer and split protein in living cells

Yan Peng; Mengqi Li; Fuyu Gong; Xiaofei Liu; Jirou Xiong; Keran Wang

doi:10.1039/d3ra08475b

In situ imaging of mRNA transcripts based on split-aptamer and split protein in living cells

RSC Adv. 2024 Mar 26;14(15):10146-10151. doi: 10.1039/d3ra08475b.

Authors

Yan Peng^{1

2}, Mengqi Li¹, Fuyu Gong^{1

2}, Xiaofei Liu^{1

3}, Jirou Xiong¹, Keran Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ The Affiliated First Hospital of Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang Normal University Fuyang Anhui 236037 P.R. China pengyan@fynu.edu.cn gong2022@fynu.edu.cn.
² Fuyang Women and Children's Hospital Fuyang Anhui 236037 P.R. China.
³ Fuyang People's Hospital Fuyang Anhui 236000 P.R. China.

Abstract

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is an essential component of cell development and growth. However, the detection of endogenous mRNA in living cells is currently limited. To address this issue, we have developed a novel strategy that comprises split-aptamer and split fluorescent protein dual-color, "turn-on" probes that specifically target mRNA with complementary sequences. Our split-aptamer and split-protein-initiated fluorescence complementation (sAPiFC) approach for live-cell imaging has demonstrated selectivity, stability, and capability for targeting various mRNAs.