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RNA imaging

A tale of two G-quadruplexes

Nature Chemical Biology volume 13, pages 1140–1141 (2017)Cite this article

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In contrast to proteins, no intrinsically fluorescent RNA is known to exist in nature. In this issue, a new, red-shifted aptamer–fluorophore complex for RNA imaging that has enhanced photostability is described. The crystal structure of this complex reveals a novel form of RNA small-molecule recognition.

The engineering, evolution, and design of fluorescent proteins has led to a revolution in protein imaging, cellular state readout, and environmental sensing1. RNA, unfortunately, lacks an organism that can supply a genetically encoded fluorophore. In this issue, Song et al. present an advance toward this aim, describing an RNA aptamer termed Corn that binds a fluorophore, DFHO, that provides both an enhanced photostability and a red-shifted spectrum2. In a companion manuscript, Warner et al. present the crystal structure of this aptamer and observe a novel form of small-molecule recognition by RNA, in which a dimer of G-quadruplexes binds face to face, with their quartets overlapping the DFHO ligand3.

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Figure 1: G-quadruplexes are overrepresented, but not required, in known fluorescent aptamer structures.

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  1. Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Aaron E Engelhart

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  1. Aaron E Engelhart
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Correspondence to Aaron E Engelhart.

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Engelhart, A. A tale of two G-quadruplexes. Nat Chem Biol 13, 1140–1141 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio.2492

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