G-quadruplexes (G4s) are secondary structures forming in G-rich nucleic acids. G4s are assumed to play critical roles in biology, nonetheless their detection in cells is still challenging. For tracking G4s, synthetic molecules (G4 ligands) can be used as reporters and have found wide application for this purpose through chemical functionalization with a fluorescent tag. However, this approach is limited by a low-labeling degree impeding precise visualization in specific subcellular regions. Herein, we present a new visualization strategy based on the immuno-recognition of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (5-BrdU) modified G4 ligands, functionalized prior- or post-G4-target binding by CuAAC. Remarkably, recognition of the tag by antibodies leads to the detection of the modified ligands exclusively when bound to a G4 target both in vitro, as shown by ELISA, and in cells, thereby providing a highly efficient G4-ligand Guided Immunofluorescence Staining (G4-GIS) approach. The obtained signal amplification revealed well-defined fluorescent foci located in the perinuclear space and RNase treatment revealed the preferential binding to G4-RNA. Furthermore, ligand treatment affected significantly BG4 foci formation in cells. Our work headed to the development of a new imaging approach combining the advantages of immunostaining and G4-recognition by G4 ligands leading to visualization of G4/ligands species in cells with unrivaled precision and sensitivity.
G-四链体(G4s)是形成在富含G的核酸中的二级结构。G4s被认为在生物学中发挥着关键作用,尽管它们在细胞中的检测仍然具有挑战性。为了追踪G4s,可以使用合成分子(G4配体)作为报告者,并通过化学功能化与荧光标签进行广泛应用。然而,这种方法受到标记度低的限制,影响了在特定亚细胞区域的精确可视化。在此,我们提出了一种基于5-溴-2'-脱氧尿嘧啶(5-BrdU)修饰的G4配体的免疫识别的新的可视化策略,通过CuAAC在G4目标结合之前或之后进行功能化。值得注意的是,抗体对标签的识别仅在修饰的配体与G4靶标结合时才能在体外(如ELISA所示)和细胞中检测到,从而提供了一种高效的G4配体引导免疫荧光染色(G4-GIS)方法。所获得的信号放大显示出位于周核空间的明确定义的荧光焦点,并且RNase处理显示出对G4-RNA的优先结合。此外,配体处理显著影响了细胞中BG4焦点的形成。我们的工作旨在开发一种新的成像方法,结合免疫染色和G4配体对G4 /配体物种的识别优势,以实现细胞中G4 /配体物种的无与伦比的精确度和灵敏度可视化。