Dramatically improved RNA in situ hybridization signals using LNA-modified probes.

Rune Thomsen, Peter Stein Nielsen, Torben Heick Jensen

Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark.

RNA (New York, N.Y.) 2005 Nov

filter terms:

In situ detection of RNA by hybridization with complementary probes is a powerful technique. Probe design is a critical parameter in successful target detection. We have evaluated the efficiency of fluorescent DNA oligonucleotides modified to contain locked nucleic acid (LNA) residues. This increases the thermal stability of hybrids formed with RNA. The LNA-based probes detect specific RNAs in fixed yeast cells with an efficiency far better than conventional DNA oligonucleotide probes of the same sequence. Using this probe design, we were also able to detect poly(A)(+) RNA accumulation within the nucleus/ nucleolus of wild-type cells. LNA-based probes should be readily applicable to a diverse array of cells and tissue samples.

Citation

Rune Thomsen, Peter Stein Nielsen, Torben Heick Jensen. Dramatically improved RNA in situ hybridization signals using LNA-modified probes. RNA (New York, N.Y.). 2005 Nov;11(11):1745-8