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Visualization of Induced RNA in Single Bacterial Cells

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RNA Detection and Visualization

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 714))

Abstract

Visualization of RNA in live cells is a challenging task due to the transient character of most RNA molecules and the lack of adequate methods to label RNA noninvasively. Here, we describe a system for regulated RNA synthesis and visualization of RNA in live Escherichia coli cells based on protein complementation. This method allows for labeling RNA with a relatively small protein complex that becomes fluorescent only when bound to an RNA. This method greatly reduces the high fluorescence background characteristic of methods employing intact fluorescent proteins. A short reporter RNA was shown to localize at the cell periphery in nonrandom patterns.

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Correspondence to Natalia E. Broude .

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Borogovac, A., Broude, N.E. (2011). Visualization of Induced RNA in Single Bacterial Cells. In: Gerst, J. (eds) RNA Detection and Visualization. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 714. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-005-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-005-8_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-004-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-005-8

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