Insertion of the Mango-II aptamer into BC200 results in the expression of aptamer-tagged BC120. (A) Primary sequence and predicted secondary structure of BC200 with the Mango-II aptamer inserted following nt 83. (B) Cells were transfected with plasmids to express the indicated RNAs. Total RNA was extracted 48 h posttransfection and separated by denaturing TBE Urea-PAGE. Gel was stained with TO1-biotin and imaged using the cy2 excitation and emission filters on a Fluorchem Q imaging system. Arrows indicate the expected lengths of the expressed RNAs. Additional faint bands also present in the untransfected lane are due to nonspecific binding of TO1-biotin. (C) Northern blot of cells transfected with empty vector, BC200 or BC200 containing the Mango-II aptamer with a probe targeting BC200 nt 33–52.
