Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
07:03
Determining Genome-wide Transcript Decay Rates in Proliferating and Quiescent Human Fibroblasts
Published on: January 2, 2018
6.4K
Predictable control of RNA lifetime using engineered degradation-tuning RNAs
Qi Zhang1, Duo Ma2, Fuqing Wu1
1School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Nature Chemical Biology
|June 22, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed degradation-tuning RNAs (dtRNAs) to precisely control RNA and gene expression dynamics. These novel RNA modules offer a predictable and modular way to tune transcript stability for diverse biotechnological applications.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Synthetic Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Controlling RNA and gene expression dynamics is crucial for biotechnology.
- Current methods for regulating transcript half-life lack predictability and modularity.
- Existing approaches include native RNA stabilizers and engineered 5' stability hairpins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, predictable, and modular system for tuning RNA and gene expression dynamics.
- To introduce a library of RNA modules, termed degradation-tuning RNAs (dtRNAs), for modulating transcript stability.
- To demonstrate the utility of dtRNAs across various biological systems and applications.
Main Methods:
- Designed and synthesized a library of degradation-tuning RNAs (dtRNAs).
- Tested dtRNAs in vitro and in vivo (Escherichia coli) to assess their impact on transcript stability.
- Integrated dtRNAs into messenger RNAs and noncoding RNAs to modulate gene circuit dynamics and CRISPR interference.
- Applied stabilizing dtRNAs in cell-free transcription-translation systems.
- Combined dtRNAs with toehold switch sensors for diagnostic applications.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 40-fold dynamic range in modulating transcript stability in Escherichia coli using dtRNAs.
- Demonstrated minimal influence of dtRNAs on translation initiation.
- Successfully tuned gene circuit dynamics and enhanced CRISPR interference in vivo.
- Showcased the ability of stabilizing dtRNAs to tune gene and RNA aptamer production in cell-free systems.
- Enhanced the performance of paper-based norovirus diagnostics by combining dtRNAs with toehold switch sensors.
Conclusions:
- Degradation-tuning RNAs (dtRNAs) provide a powerful and versatile tool for precisely controlling RNA and gene expression.
- dtRNAs offer a predictable and modular approach to RNA stability regulation, overcoming limitations of previous methods.
- The demonstrated applications highlight the broad potential of dtRNAs in synthetic biology, diagnostics, and other biotechnological fields.
Related Concept Videos
01:53RNA Stability
34.3K
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
34.3K
01:20Types of RNA
7.4K
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
RNA Performs Diverse...
7.4K
01:23Types of RNA
69.9K
Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
69.9K
02:51mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
5.9K
The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
5.9K
02:51mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
3.1K
3.1K
02:31Nuclear Export of mRNA
8.0K
Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
8.0K