Aptamer-based proximity labeling guides covalent RNA modification

We describe the development of a proximity-induced bio-orthogonal inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction that exploits the high-affinity interaction between a dienophile-modified RhoBAST aptamer and its tetramethyl rhodamine methyltetrazine substrate. We applied this concept for covalent RNA labeling in proof-of-principle experiments. An aptamer-based proximity-induced inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reaction for fluorescent modification of RNAs is described.