Abstract
RNA localization is one mechanism to temporally and spatially restrict protein synthesis to specific subcellular compartments in response to extracellular stimuli. To understand the mechanisms of mRNA localization, a number of methods have been developed to follow the path of these molecules in living cells including direct labeling of target mRNAs, the MS2-GFP system, and molecular beacons. We review advances in these methods with the goal of identifying the particular strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches in their ability to follow the movements of mRNAs from transcription sites to translation sites.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 202-208 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2007 |
Keywords
- Fluorescent mRNAs
- Live cell imaging
- MS2
- Molecular beacons
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology