biostudies-literatureUnknown6Xu SRNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) play important roles in translational regulation, mRNA processing events and gene expression. Therefore, a fluorescent probe that is capable of efficiently recognizing RNA G-quadruplex structures among other RNA forms is highly desirable. In this study, a water-soluble fluorogenic dye (i.e., Thioflavin T (ThT)) was employed to recognize RNA G-quadruplex structures using UV-Vis absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and emission lifetime experiments. By stacking on the G-tetrad, the ThT probe exhibited highly specific recognition of RNA G-quadruplex structures with striking fluorescence enhancement compared with other RNA forms. The specific binding demonstrates that ThT is an efficient fluorescence sensor that can distinguish G4 and non-G4 RNA structures.Scientific reports24793https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4838840biostudies-literatureThioflavin T as an efficient fluorescence sensor for selective recognition of RNA G-quadruplexes.PMC4838840Liu YYu LXiang JXu SLi QGuan AYang QChen HSun HTang YWang LShi YfalseThioflavin T as an efficient fluorescence sensor for selective recognition of RNA G-quadruplexes.RNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) play important roles in translational regulation, mRNA processing events and gene expression. Therefore, a fluorescent probe that is capable of efficiently recognizing RNA G-quadruplex structures among other RNA forms is highly desirable. In this study, a water-soluble fluorogenic dye (i.e., Thioflavin T (ThT)) was employed to recognize RNA G-quadruplex structures using UV-Vis absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and emission lifetime experiments. By stacking on the G-tetrad, the ThT probe exhibited highly specific recognition of RNA G-quadruplex structures with striking fluorescence enhancement compared with other RNA forms. The specific binding demonstrates that ThT is an efficient fluorescence sensor that can distinguish G4 and non-G4 RNA structures.2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Apr2025-04-22T19:58:17.564Z2019-03-27T02:12:04ZS-EPMC48388402709878110.1038/srep24793