Modified aptamers enable quantitative sub-10-nm cellular DNA-PAINT imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Molecular Biology
• Microscopy

Background:

• Super-resolution microscopy achieves near molecular-scale resolution.
• Conventional labeling reagents are too large for effective biological specimen imaging.
• Bridging the gap between microscopy resolution and biological imaging is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• Introduce slow off-rate modified aptamers (SOMAmers) as novel, small, and specific labeling reagents.
• Demonstrate the utility of SOMAmers with DNA points accumulation in nanoscale topography (DNA-PAINT).
• Showcase the resolution, specificity, and multiplexing capabilities of SOMAmers in biological samples.

Main Methods:

• Development of slow off-rate modified aptamers (SOMAmers).
• Utilized DNA points accumulation in nanoscale topography (DNA-PAINT) for imaging.
• Labeled and imaged transmembrane and intracellular targets in fixed and live cells.

Main Results:

• SOMAmers function as effective small and specific labeling reagents.
• Achieved high-resolution imaging of biological specimens using SOMAmers and DNA-PAINT.
• Demonstrated successful labeling and imaging of diverse cellular targets, including live cells.

Conclusions:

• SOMAmers represent a significant advancement for super-resolution microscopy in biological applications.
• The combination of SOMAmers and DNA-PAINT enables nanoscale imaging of cellular structures.
• This approach overcomes limitations of conventional reagents, facilitating molecular-scale biological imaging.