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Docket #: S12-177

SHAPE reagents — probes for in vivo and in vitro analysis of RNA structure

Researchers in the laboratories of Dr. Eric Kool and Dr. Howard Chang have created and characterized chemical probes that enable accurate RNA structural analysis in living cells. RNA structure plays an important role in practically every facet of gene regulation. RNA structure in cells is influenced by a variety of factors including the rate of transcription, binding of small molecules and interactions with numerous RNA binding proteins. As such RNA structure in vivo is likely to be more complex and fundamentally different than what is observed in vitro and thus it is crucial to understand RNA structure in vivo. However, the lack of structural probes that function in vivo has limited such efforts. This technology overcomes this limitation as the novel chemical probes can be used for RNA structural analysis in vitro and in vivo.

Applications

  • Obtain RNA structural data in vitro or in vivo
  • Assess dynamic changes in RNA structure in different cell states or in cells knocked out for any gene
  • Reversibly modify RNA in vitro or in vivo
  • Compare in vitro and in vivo RNA structural data
  • Diagnose cancers where RNA structure plays a role, e.g. by probing HOTAIR RNA which is highly expressed in metastatic breast cancers

Advantages

  • Accurately measure RNA structure in vivo
  • Useful in a wide range of organisms: mammalian cells, yeast, bacteria
  • Soluble
  • Stable
  • Sensitive- single nucleotide resolution
  • Selectively reactive

Publications

Stage of Research

The inventors have demonstrated the utility of the chemical probes to read out specific and sensitive structural differences in RNA as a function of its tertiary structure and RNA-protein interactions.

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Patents

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