Effect of Depurination on Cellular and Viral RNA

Deprotection of N1-methyladenosine-containing RNA using triethylamine hydrogen fluoride

The N1-methyladenosine (m1A) epigenetic modification exists in many RNAs and is related to many human diseases. Chemically synthesized RNAs containing the modification are required for projects aimed at studying biological processes, mechanisms, and pathogenesis related to m1A. Existing methods for the synthesis of m1A containing RNAs use tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) for the deprotection of the 2'-silyl protecting groups. Since TBAF is nonvolatile, and is relatively non-polar, its use in the desilylation of RNA requires repeated desalting, which is tedious and gives low yields. Here we report the use of the volatile and neat triethylamine hydrogen fluoride (TEA-HF) for desilylation of m1A RNA synthesis. We found that the method is much simpler, and-in our hands-give significantly higher yield of RNA. Two major concerns for m1A RNA synthesis are depurination and Dimroth rearrangement. HPLC and MALDI MS of the RNA indicated that depurination is not a problem for the new method. The absence of Dimroth rearrangement is proven by RNA digestion followed by HPLC analysis of the nucleosides.

Chemical RNA Cross-Linking: Mechanisms, Computational Analysis, and Biological Applications

In recent years, RNA has emerged as a multifaceted biomolecule that is involved in virtually every function of the cell and is critical for human health. This has led to a substantial increase in research efforts to uncover the many chemical and biological aspects of RNA and target RNA for therapeutic purposes. In particular, analysis of RNA structures and interactions in cells has been critical for understanding their diverse functions and druggability. In the last 5 years, several chemical methods have been developed to achieve this goal, using chemical cross-linking combined with high-throughput sequencing and computational analysis. Applications of these methods resulted in important new insights into RNA functions in a variety of biological contexts. Given the rapid development of new chemical technologies, a thorough perspective on the past and future of this field is provided. In particular, the various RNA cross-linkers and their mechanisms, the computational analysis and challenges, and illustrative examples from recent literature are discussed.

Kinetics and Mechanistic Study of Hydrolysis of Adenosine Monophosphate Disodium Salt (AMPNa2) in Acidic and Alkaline Media

Phosphate ester hydrolysis is essential in signal transduction, energy storage and production, information storage and DNA repair. In this investigation, hydrolysis of adenosine monophosphate disodium salt (AMPNa2) was carried out in acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions of pH ranging between 0.30-12.71 at 60°C. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically. The rate ranged between (1.20 ± 0.10) × 10-7 s-1 to (4.44 ± 0.05) × 10-6 s-1 at [NaOH] from 0.0008 M to 1.00M recorded a second-order base-catalyzed rate constant, kOH as 4.32 × 10-6 M-1 s-1. In acidic conditions, the rate ranged between (1.32 ± 0.06) × 10-7 s-1 to (1.67 ± 0.10) × 10-6 s-1 at [HCl] from 0.01 M to 1.00 M. Second-order acid-catalyzed rate constant, kH obtained was 1.62 × 10-6 M-1 s-1. Rate of reaction for neutral region, k0 was obtained from graphical method to be 10-7 s-1. Mechanisms were proposed to involve P-O bond cleavage in basic medium while competition between P-O bond and N-glycosidic cleavage was observed in acidic medium. In conclusion, this study has provided comprehensive information on the kinetic parameters and mechanism of cleavage of AMPNa2 which mimicked natural AMP cleavage and the action of enzymes that facilitate its cleavage.

Molecular mechanisms influencing efficiency of RNA interference in insects

RNA interference (RNAi) is an endogenous, sequence-specific gene-silencing mechanism elicited by small RNA molecules. RNAi is a powerful reverse genetic tool, and is currently being utilized for managing insects and viruses. Widespread implementation of RNAi-based pest management strategies is currently hindered by inefficient and highly variable results when different insect species, strains, developmental stages, tissues, and genes are targeted. Mechanistic studies have shown that double-stranded ribonucleases (dsRNases), endosomal entrapment, deficient function of the core machinery, and inadequate immune stimulation contribute to limited RNAi efficiency. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms limiting RNAi efficiency remains elusive. Recent advances in dsRNA stability in physiological tissues, dsRNA internalization into cells, the composition and function of the core RNAi machinery, as well as small-interfering RNA/double-stranded RNA amplification and spreading mechanisms are reviewed to establish a global understanding of the obstacles impeding wider understanding of RNAi mechanisms in insects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.