{"title":"In-gel staining methods of G4 DNA and RNA structures.","authors":"Philipp Schult, Katrin Paeschke","doi":"10.1016/bs.mie.2023.12.002","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>G-quadruplexes (G4) are functionally important nucleic acid structures, involved in many cellular pathways. They are often dynamically regulated in cells, which makes detecting them in vivo challenging and dependent on sophisticated technical equipment. Therefore, in vitro studies are commonly performed as a first step to confirm a candidate sequence folds into a G4. Several methods have been developed, each with its individual pros and cons. A highly accessible and quick approach, without the need for specialized equipment, is the detection of G4s in native gels using light-up probes. These molecules become fluorescent after specifically binding to G4s. Several different classes have been discovered, emitting light in various colors, and some possess specificity for certain G4 topologies, which makes them highly versatile tools for G4 visualization. Here, we will explore the general procedure using the light-up probe NMM on RNA G4s and discuss advantages and limitations of this method.</p>","PeriodicalId":18662,"journal":{"name":"Methods in enzymology","volume":"695 ","pages":"29-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Methods in enzymology","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.mie.2023.12.002","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/12/22 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4) are functionally important nucleic acid structures, involved in many cellular pathways. They are often dynamically regulated in cells, which makes detecting them in vivo challenging and dependent on sophisticated technical equipment. Therefore, in vitro studies are commonly performed as a first step to confirm a candidate sequence folds into a G4. Several methods have been developed, each with its individual pros and cons. A highly accessible and quick approach, without the need for specialized equipment, is the detection of G4s in native gels using light-up probes. These molecules become fluorescent after specifically binding to G4s. Several different classes have been discovered, emitting light in various colors, and some possess specificity for certain G4 topologies, which makes them highly versatile tools for G4 visualization. Here, we will explore the general procedure using the light-up probe NMM on RNA G4s and discuss advantages and limitations of this method.
期刊介绍:
The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for almost 50 years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Each volume is eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with over 500 volumes the series contains much material still relevant today and is truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences, including microbiology, biochemistry, cancer research and genetics-just to name a few. Five of the 2013 Nobel Laureates have edited or contributed to volumes of MIE.