Lei Xin, Xia Yuqing, Ma Xiaochen, Wang Li, Wu Yifan, Wu Xin, Yang Zifu, Wang Shizheng, Ren Xiaojun
College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
Biosens Bioelectron. 2025 Mar 1;271:116969. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116969. Epub 2024 Nov 27.
Visualizing RNA is critical for understanding RNA expression patterns and spatial organization within cells, offering valuable insights into gene regulation and cellular functions. High-resolution RNA imaging techniques are therefore indispensable for revealing the complexities of cellular pathways and physiological processes. Traditional RNA imaging methods, however, face significant limitations, such as high background noise resulting from labeling or cell fixation, which can impede the accurate tracking of RNA dynamics in live cells. Fluorescent light-up RNA aptamers (FLAPs) have emerged as a powerful alternative, distinguished by their capacity for enhanced fluorescence activation, reduced background interference, and advantages such as label-free imaging, small molecular size, and customizable structures. In this review, we provide an overview of the development of FLAPs, explore recent advancements in FLAP-based RNA imaging strategies, and discuss both the challenges and future directions in the field. Through this analysis, we aim to facilitate the further development and application of FLAPs in RNA research, fostering innovation and offering new perspectives in the study of RNA biology.
可视化RNA对于理解细胞内的RNA表达模式和空间组织至关重要，这为基因调控和细胞功能提供了有价值的见解。因此，高分辨率RNA成像技术对于揭示细胞途径和生理过程的复杂性是不可或缺的。然而，传统的RNA成像方法面临着重大限制，例如标记或细胞固定导致的高背景噪声，这可能会妨碍对活细胞中RNA动态的准确追踪。荧光点亮RNA适配体（FLAPs）已成为一种强大的替代方法，其特点是具有增强的荧光激活能力、减少的背景干扰以及诸如无标记成像、小分子尺寸和可定制结构等优点。在这篇综述中，我们概述了FLAPs的发展，探讨了基于FLAPs的RNA成像策略的最新进展，并讨论了该领域的挑战和未来方向。通过这一分析，我们旨在促进FLAPs在RNA研究中的进一步发展和应用，推动创新并为RNA生物学研究提供新的视角。
