A Cytoplasm-Specific Fluorescent Ligand for Selective Imaging of RNA G-Quadruplexes in Live Cancer Cells

Bo Xin Zheng, Wei Long, Meng Ting She, Yakun Wang, Dong Zhao, Jie Yu, Alan Siu-Lun Leung, Ka Hin Chan, Jinqiang Hou, Yu Jing Lu, Wing Leung Wong

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The development of site-specific, target-selective and biocompatible small molecule ligands as a fluorescent tool for real-time study of cellular functions of RNA G-quadruplexes (G4s), which are associated with human cancers, is of significance in cancer biology. We report a fluorescent ligand that is a cytoplasm-specific and RNA G4-selective fluorescent biosensor in live HeLa cells. The in vitro results show that the ligand is highly selective targeting RNA G4s including VEGF, NRAS, BCL2 and TERRA. These G4s are recognized as human cancer hallmarks. Moreover, intracellular competition studies with BRACO19 and PDS, and the colocalization study with G4-specific antibody (BG4) in HeLa cells may support that the ligand selectively binds to G4s in cellulo. Furthermore, the ligand was demonstrated for the first time in the visualization and monitoring of dynamic resolving process of RNA G4s by the overexpressed RFP-tagged DHX36 helicase in live HeLa cells.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202300705
JournalChemistry - A European Journal
Volume29
Issue number34
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • DHX36
  • fluorescent G4-ligand
  • G4-structure resolving
  • live cell imaging
  • RNA G-quadruplex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Organic Chemistry

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