Fluorescent probes for imaging endogenous β-actin mRNA in living cells using fluorescent protein-tagged pumilio

ACS Chem Biol. 2012 Jun 15;7(6):999-1005. doi: 10.1021/cb200474a. Epub 2012 Mar 13.

Abstract

Subcellular localization and dynamics of mRNAs control various physiological functions in living cells. A novel technique for visualizing endogenous mRNAs in living cells is necessary for investigation of the spatiotemporal movement of mRNAs. A pumilio homology domain of human pumilio 1 (PUM-HD) is a useful RNA binding protein as a tool for mRNA recognition because the domain can be modified to bind a specific 8-base sequence of target mRNA. In this study, we designed PUM-HD to match the sequence of β-actin mRNA and developed an mRNA probe consisting of two PUM-HD mutants flanking full-length enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Fluorescence microscopy with the probe in living cells revealed that the probe was labeled precisely with the β-actin mRNA in cytosol. Fluorescent spots from the probe were colocalized with microtubules and moved directionally in living cells. The PUM-HD mutants conjugated with full-length EGFP can enable visualization of β-actin mRNA localization and dynamics in living cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Survival
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / analysis*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Probes / analysis*
  • Molecular Probes / genetics
  • Molecular Probes / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Molecular Probes
  • PUM1 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins