Figure 1.

RNA localization with a model amphipathic, cationic molecule. a) Design of RNA-localizing molecules that include both nonpolar and cationic regions. b) The change in zeta potential is reported for POPC samples prepared with 2-undecylimidazole (yellow) or incubated with 2-methylimidazole (blue) with respect to control POPC samples that had no imidazole derivatives added. c) Schematic of the FRET assay used to assess RNA localization to vesicle membranes: The FRET efficiency between a FAM-labeled oligomer and a rhodamine-labeled lipid in vesicle membranes is measured. A positive change in FRET indicates an increase in membrane–RNA localization with respect to control samples. d) RNA (5′-FAM-U₁₅ and 5′-FAM-A₁₅) shows increasing localization to POPC membranes that contain increased amounts of undecylimidazole. n=3, error bars represent standard deviation.