Theranostics 2017; 7(3):634-646. doi:10.7150/thno.16840 This issue Cite

Research Paper

MicroRNA Detection Using a Double Molecular Beacon Approach: Distinguishing Between miRNA and Pre-miRNA

Amanda Marie James1✉, Meredith B. Baker1, Gang Bao2, Charles D. Searles1,3

1. Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA;
2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA;
3. Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA.

Citation:
James AM, Baker MB, Bao G, Searles CD. MicroRNA Detection Using a Double Molecular Beacon Approach: Distinguishing Between miRNA and Pre-miRNA. Theranostics 2017; 7(3):634-646. doi:10.7150/thno.16840. https://www.thno.org/v07p0634.htm
Other styles

File import instruction

Abstract

Graphic abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and are recognized for their roles both as modulators of disease progression and as biomarkers of disease activity, including neurological diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Commonly, miRNA abundance is assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), however, qRT-PCR for miRNA can be labor intensive, time consuming, and may lack specificity for detection of mature versus precursor forms of miRNA. Here, we describe a novel double molecular beacon approach to miRNA assessment that can distinguish and quantify mature versus precursor forms of miRNA in a single assay, an essential feature for use of miRNAs as biomarkers for disease. Using this approach, we found that molecular beacons with DNA or combined locked nucleic acid (LNA)-DNA backbones can detect mature and precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) of low (< 1 nM) abundance in vitro. The double molecular beacon assay was accurate in assessing miRNA abundance in a sample containing a mixed population of mature and precursor miRNAs. In contrast, qRT-PCR and the single molecular beacon assay overestimated miRNA abundance. Additionally, the double molecular beacon assay was less labor intensive than traditional qRT-PCR and had 10-25% increased specificity. Our data suggest that the double molecular beacon-based approach is more precise and specific than previous methods, and has the promise of being the standard for assessing miRNA levels in biological samples.

Keywords: molecular beacon, microRNA, microRNA detection, cardiovascular disease, PCR.


Citation styles

APA
James, A.M., Baker, M.B., Bao, G., Searles, C.D. (2017). MicroRNA Detection Using a Double Molecular Beacon Approach: Distinguishing Between miRNA and Pre-miRNA. Theranostics, 7(3), 634-646. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.16840.

ACS
James, A.M.; Baker, M.B.; Bao, G.; Searles, C.D. MicroRNA Detection Using a Double Molecular Beacon Approach: Distinguishing Between miRNA and Pre-miRNA. Theranostics 2017, 7 (3), 634-646. DOI: 10.7150/thno.16840.

NLM
James AM, Baker MB, Bao G, Searles CD. MicroRNA Detection Using a Double Molecular Beacon Approach: Distinguishing Between miRNA and Pre-miRNA. Theranostics 2017; 7(3):634-646. doi:10.7150/thno.16840. https://www.thno.org/v07p0634.htm

CSE
James AM, Baker MB, Bao G, Searles CD. 2017. MicroRNA Detection Using a Double Molecular Beacon Approach: Distinguishing Between miRNA and Pre-miRNA. Theranostics. 7(3):634-646.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY-NC) License. See http://ivyspring.com/terms for full terms and conditions.
Popup Image