Figure 11.

Schematic illustration of molecular beacon micelle flares (MBMFs) for gene therapy. Diacyl-lipid-molecular-beacon conjugates (L-MBs) self-assemble into MBMFs and enter living cells. Before binding their target mRNA, the fluorophore and the quencher of the MBMFs are in close proximity (OFF state). Hybridization between the loop region and the target mRNA separates the fluorophore and the quencher, producing a fluorescence signal (ON state) and a DNA/RNA heteroduplex for RNase H action. Reprinted with permission from © (2013) WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA [73].