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5-Vinyl-uridine (VU) is a uridine derivative with a terminal alkene group that can be used for monitoring and investigating RNA transcription in cells instead of 5-ethynyl-uridine (EU).

VU is readily taken up by living cells and incorporated by RNA polymerases into de novo RNA instead of endogenous uridine, but not into DNA [1]. VU-labeled nascent cellular RNA can be detected quickly and with high sensitivity via inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction (IEDDA) between the vinyl group and fluorescently or biotin-labeled tetrazines.

Labeled RNA can be detected with different cell transcriptional levels estimation methods, e.g., fluorescent microscopy or flow cytometry.

[1] Liu H.S. et al. A Nucleoside Derivative 5-Vinyluridine (VrU) for Imaging RNA in Cells and Animals. Bioconjug.Chem. 2019. 30(11). 2958-2966.