A nucleic acid labeling chemistry reveals surface DNA on exosomes.

ABSTRACT: Chemical labeling of nucleic acids is essential to pinpoint the structure, localization, and function of RNA and DNA. Yet, reversible sequence-independent chemistries that can label native RNA and DNA remain poorly developed. Here we describe Reversible Uridine Nitrilium-mediated Addition (RUNA), a reversible covalent chemistry that selectively modifies uridine and thymidine residues via N3 deprotonation and reaction with a nitrilium ion intermediate generated from an aldehyde and an isonitrile. The reaction forms a stable N3 adduct that can be quantitatively reversed by hydrolysis. By labeling uridines and thymidines sequence-independently with reagents that are either membrane permeable or impermeable, we pinpointed the localization and function of DNA on exosomes. Although exosom

SUBMITTER: Boskovic F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12667867 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature