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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes
Published on: November 1, 2019
Spermidine modulated ribonuclease activity probed by RNA plasmon rulers
Lynell R Skewis1, Björn M Reinhard
1Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Abstract:
We extend the scope of nanometer distance measurements based on coupled pairs of gold nanoparticles, or plasmon rulers, to individual RNA molecules. These sensors were used to monitor the influence of spermidine on the cleavage kinetics of RNA by ribonuclease A. Time-resolved cleavage experiments of individual RNA plasmon rulers reveal transiently stabilized RNA sub-populations at increased spermidine concentrations that indicate spermidine-induced stabilization of weak secondary and tertiary structural elements.
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