Yaohai Bio-Pharma prepares circRNA based on the PIE system (alignment of exons and introns), which relies on the self-splicing function of type I introns to achieve RNA cyclization. The PIE structure is designed using the T4 td gene or fishy tRNA precursor gene, and the arrangement is as follows:
The RNA intron and supporting exon fragment are divided into two parts (5' terminal and 3' terminal), where the 5' terminal sequence is transferred to the tail of the target sequence, the 3 ' terminal sequence is inserted into the front of the target sequence, and the target gene sequence is inserted in the middle.
Under the catalysis of GTP, the PIE structure leads to the cyclization of sequences other than introns. Combined with a reasonable enhancement strategy of cyclization rate, Yaohai Bio-Pharma can achieve cyclization of sequences up to 4 kb with a cyclization rate of more than 80%.
Figure 1. In vitro circulation of circRNA based on the PIE system
Process | Optional Service | Service Details | Delivery Period (workday) |
circRNA sequencedesign and optimization | Design and optimization of coding sequences | CDS sequence alignment CDS codon optimization | 1 |
Design and optimization of non-coding sequences | Intron and exon sequence design and optimization Homologous arm sequence design and optimization Spacer sequence design and optimization | 1-2 |
CircRNA Components | Biological Functions | Optimization Strategies | |
Two-terminal intron and exon sequences | GTP-catalyzed intron self-splicing for cyclization of sequences outside the intron. | Designed according to the T4 td gene or fish oil tRNA precursor gene. | |
Coding | IRES | Internal ribosome recognition site that regulates the translation of circRNA. | Screening of internal ribosome entry site (IRES) sequences from different viral sources, e.g. EMCV, CVB3 sources. |
CDS | Protein-coding regions, sequences coding for antigens, antibodies or other functional proteins. | Codon optimization increases the level of translation; certain non-optimal codons may play a role in protein folding. | |
Non-coding | Non-coding sequences | Target miRNAs or proteins to exert gene or protein regulation. | Targeting specific binding sites for miRNAs or proteins can repeat the sequences of the binding site. |
Yaohai Bio-Pharma launched the control product enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) circRNA, which is based on the PIE system to achieve the cyclization of RNA.
Using a conventional transfection reagent, eGFP circRNA is transfected into 293T cells, and eGFP (green) fluorescent signal can be detected after 24h, which will be enhanced after 48h.The fluorescent signal can still be detected on the 7th day and the 14th day after transfection.
In vitro expression validation of eGFP circRNA