Site-specific labeling of RNA with fluorophores and other structural probes

Site-specific probes provide a powerful tool for structure and function stu dies of nucleic acids, especially in elucidating tertiary structures of lar ge ribozymes and other folded RNA molecules. Among many types of extrinsic labels, fluorophores are most attractive because they can provide structura l information at millisecond time resolution, thus allowing real-time obser vation of structural transition during biological function. Methods for int roducing fluorophores in RNA molecules are summarized here. These methods a re robust and readily applicable to the labeling of other types of probes. However, as each case of RNA modification is unique, fine tuning of the gen eral methodology is beneficial. (C) 1999 Academic Press.