Light-regulated mRNA condensation by a photosensitive surfactant works as a series photoswitch of translation activity in the presence of small RNAs

Biomacromolecules. 2011 Nov 14;12(11):3945-51. doi: 10.1021/bm200962s. Epub 2011 Oct 5.

Abstract

AzoTAB, a photosensitive azobenzene cationic surfactant, which phototriggers translation activity through light-regulated condensation of mRNA, is added to a translation solution containing several mRNAs, which can be selectively silenced by specific small RNAs. We find that gene silencing by small RNAs remains functional regardless of AzoTAB concentration and UV illumination. In the absence of UV, the translation of all genes present in the medium is partially to fully inhibited depending on AzoTAB concentration. In contrast, the application of a short UV stimulus (365 nm for 1.5 min) results in the selective photoactivation of genes that are not silenced by small RNA. These results show that light-regulated condensation by AzoTAB works as a sequence-independent series photoswitch added to parallel sequence-specific regulation by small RNAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azo Compounds / chemistry*
  • Azo Compounds / radiation effects
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / chemistry
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • azobenzene