When choosing which method of reporter mRNA modifications is preferable, there is no definitive answer as each method and reporter gene has its own advantages and applicable scenarios. Here are some common mRNA modification methods and reporter genes, along with their characteristics and suitability.

mRNA Modification Methods

Methylation:

1. m6A: Associated with mRNA stability, splicing, translation, and miRNA processing. Detection challenges include antibody selection and localization.
2. 5' Cap Nm: Enhances stability, splicing, polyadenylation, and nuclear export. Helps distinguish self-RNA from foreign RNA.
3. Pseudouridylation: Alters codons, enhances stability, and responds to stress. Catalyzed by pseudouridine synthases.

Introductions of Non-Natural Nucleotides:

1. Introduced during transcription with a dual chemical modification strategy. It Enhances stability, efficiency, and protein expression.

Reporter Genes

1. Green Fluorescent Protein Gene (GFP): Advantages: Easy to detect, stable fluorescence properties, non-toxic to cells, suitable for live cell imaging. Disadvantages: Limited fluorescence intensity.
2. Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP): Advantages: Over 6 times brighter than wild-type GFP, making it more suitable as a reporter gene for studying gene expression, regulation, cell differentiation, and protein localization and transport within organisms.
3. Red Fluorescent Proteins (e.g., mCherry): Advantages: Longer excitation and emission wavelengths, resulting in lower background during intracellular imaging, excellent fluorescence brightness and photostability, and lower cellular toxicity. Disadvantages: May not be as commonly used as GFP in certain experimental conditions.
4. Firefly Luciferase: Advantages: In the presence of ATP, magnesium ions, and oxygen, it can catalyze the oxidation of luciferin into oxyluciferin, emitting bioluminescence. It is suitable for use as a control to study the translation efficiency of target genes in mammalian cells, cell viability, and in vivo imaging assays.

Conclusion

When choosing which method of reporter mRNA modifications is preferable, it depends on specific experimental objectives, research backgrounds, and experimental conditions. For example, if high sensitivity is required, eGFP may be a better choice. If imaging at longer wavelengths is needed to reduce background interference, red fluorescent proteins like mCherry may be more suitable. Additionally, based on the specific modification needs of mRNA (e.g., enhancing stability, improving translation efficiency), the corresponding modification method can be selected.

As the first and largest microbial biologics CRDMO in Greater China, Yaohai Bio-Pharma offers end-to-end one-stop tailored solutions or standalone services ranging from RNA synthesis, strain engineering and construction, upstream and downstream process development, to GMP or non-GMP level drug substance manufacturing, and fill & finish services for diverse modalities, such as mRNA, circRNA, plasmid RNA, recombinant proteins, peptides, enzymes, single domain antibodies and VLPs for human and veterinary use.

Yaohai Bio-Pharma is also actively seeking institutional or individual global partners and offers the most competitive compensation in the industry. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us: [email protected]