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Updated: May 18, 2026
12:20
Real-time Imaging of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Living Cells Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons
Published on: August 6, 2014
Visualizing transient low-populated structures of RNA.
Elizabeth A Dethoff1, Katja Petzold, Jeetender Chugh
1Department of Chemistry & Biophysics, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1055, USA.
Nature
|October 9, 2012
Summary
Researchers visualized RNA transitions to short-lived,
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Regulatory RNAs perform vital functions through conformational changes.
- Previously, only stable RNA structures were observable.
- Understanding dynamic RNA states is crucial for biological function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize transient, 'invisible' excited states (ESs) of RNA.
- To characterize the structural dynamics of RNA beyond stable conformations.
- To elucidate the functional implications of RNA excited states.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- Developed techniques to observe low-abundance, short-lived RNA species.
- Analyzed localized base-pairing rearrangements in RNA architecture.
Main Results:
- Visualized RNA transitions to excited states (ESs) present at 2-13% abundance and lasting 45-250 μs.
- Identified rearrangements in helix-junction-helix motifs and apical loops within ESs.
- Demonstrated that ESs can sequester functional residues or promote strand exchange.
Conclusions:
- RNAs exist in a dynamic equilibrium with multiple excited states.
- These transient states significantly impact RNA function and regulation.
- Cellular cues can stabilize specific excited states to modulate biological outcomes.
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