mRNA Enzymes
The utilization of enzymes in mRNA vaccine production has revolutionized the field by enabling rapid vaccine development and manufacturing processes, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. mRNA vaccines, such as those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, have showcased the potential of this technology in generating effective immune responses and combating infectious diseases.
By leveraging enzymes, mRNA vaccine development becomes a highly precise and efficient process. These enzymes ensure the accurate transcription of the target antigen’s gene, optimize mRNA stability and translational efficiency through modifications, facilitate efficient delivery through LNPs, and ultimately enable the production of the antigenic protein.
Bioprocess enzymes play a crucial role in mRNA synthesis and modification through several enzymatic processes1. The enzymes involved in enzymatic processes can vary widely from one process to another, but some of the key processes are:
capping: In the process of capping, a special cap structure is added to the 5′ end of the mRNA molecule. The cap structure helps to stabilize the mRNA molecule and prevent it from being degraded by cellular RNases. Capping can be carried out by various enzymes, including guanylyltransferase and methyltransferase.
splicing: Splicing is the process by which non-coding regions (introns) are removed from the mRNA molecule and the coding regions (exons) are spliced together. This process can be carried out by a complex of RNA and various proteins, known as the spliceosome.
polyadenylation: In this process, a long string of adenine nucleotides (the poly(A) tail) is added to the 3′ end of the mRNA molecule. The poly(A) tail provides stability to the mRNA molecule and also helps in mRNA translation6. Polyadenylation can be carried out by the poly(A) polymerase enzyme.
Collectively, these enzymatic processes help in the regulation of mRNA synthesis, modification, stability, and translation, and contribute to their role in mRNA research. Bioprocess enzymes can be used to facilitate these processes and modify mRNA to meet specific research needs.
Krishgen offers a range of enzymes for various steps in mRNA production – including capping, splicing and polyadenylation.
Features of Krishgen’s mRNA Enzymes:
- High Yield and Purity
- Excellent transcription performance for long templates
- Good compatibility of modified nucleotides
- Low dsRNA production
- No animal origins
mRNA Enzymes
The significance of mRNA enzymes in mRNA vaccine production process is immense:
Transcription: The first step in mRNA vaccine development is the transcription of the target antigen’s gene into mRNA. Bioprocess enzymes, such as RNA polymerase, are used to catalyze the synthesis of mRNA strands that carry the instructions for producing the antigen1. This enzymatic process ensures the accurate transcription of the gene sequence into mRNA.
Modifications and Quality Control: Once the mRNA is transcribed, it undergoes various enzymatic modifications and quality control checks to optimize its stability and efficiency. Bioprocess enzymes, including capping enzymes and poly(A) polymerase, are involved in these steps. Capping enzymes add a modified cap structure to the 5′ end of the mRNA, enhancing stability and preventing degradation in the human body2. Poly(A) polymerase adds a poly(A) tail to the 3′ end of the mRNA to improve stability and translational efficiency3.
Delivery: Enzymatic processes also play a role in delivering the mRNA vaccine into target cells. One common approach involves encapsulating the mRNA in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that protect the mRNA and facilitate its delivery into cells. Bioprocess enzymes are used in the formulation of LNPs to optimize their stability, encapsulation efficiency, and cellular uptake4. For instance, enzymes like reverse transcriptase and RNAse H can be used for the synthesis and removal of template RNA during LNP formulation.
Translation: Once the mRNA vaccine is successfully delivered into cells, the next step is its translation into the target protein. Ribosomes, the cellular machinery responsible for protein synthesis, attach to the mRNA and read the instructions, leading to the production of the antigenic protein. Bioprocess enzymes are not directly involved in this step, but the modifications introduced by these enzymes during transcription contribute to enhancing translation efficiency.
If you are unable to locate your desired ELISA kit on our website, or have a technical query, please drop us a message and our team will come back to you with availability. If we do not have it available, we will suggest a feasible custom development option.
Require a Custom Assay?
Krishgen can develop and manufacture to your specific requirements.
Whether you require a change in the assay range or sensitivity, want an assay validated for a specific matrix or even want an novel immunoassay developed, the Krishgen team can support you. Get a free technical consultation to learn about the feasibility and timeline of your new assay.