Open AccessImaging of pre-mRNA splicing in living subjects using a genetically encoded luciferase reporter
Author(s) -
Yaru Shi,
Wei Liu,
Haifeng Zheng,
Zhiqiang Li,
Xiaorui Shi,
Shixuan Cai,
Zhi-Qiang Jiao,
Wenjie Mao,
Jinrong Xie,
Jie Tian,
Fu Wang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
biomedical optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.362
H-Index - 86
ISSN - 2156-7085
DOI - 10.1364/boe.9.000518
Subject(s) - rna splicing , luciferase , alternative splicing , messenger rna , reporter gene , biology , gene expression , gene , bioluminescence imaging , eukaryote , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , genetics , genome , rna , transfection
Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step in gene expression in most eukaryote genes. Here we present the feasibility of a genetically encoded luciferase reporter to monitor the pre-mRNA splicing process in living cells and animals. We showed that the splicing activity change induced by isoginkgetin could be readily visualized in vitro both in a dose and time dependent manner. Moreover, the pre-mRNA splicing process could be also obviously detected in mice by bioluminescence imaging and confirmed by RT-PCR. Our work provided a reporter system that allows high-throughput screening of chemical libraries to identify potential compounds leading to aberrant patterns of splicing.