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Lukaszewicz M. Application of Mammalian Nudix Enzymes to Capped RNA Analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:1195. [PMID: 39338357 PMCID: PMC11434898 DOI: 10.3390/ph17091195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Following the success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, mRNA-based therapeutics have now become a great interest and potential. The development of this approach has been preceded by studies of modifications found on mRNA ribonucleotides that influence the stability, translation and immunogenicity of this molecule. The 5' cap of eukaryotic mRNA plays a critical role in these cellular functions and is thus the focus of intensive chemical modifications to affect the biological properties of in vitro-prepared mRNA. Enzymatic removal of the 5' cap affects the stability of mRNA in vivo. The NUDIX hydrolase Dcp2 was identified as the first eukaryotic decapping enzyme and is routinely used to analyse the synthetic cap at the 5' end of RNA. Here we highlight three additional NUDIX enzymes with known decapping activity, namely Nudt2, Nudt12 and Nudt16. These enzymes possess a different and some overlapping activity towards numerous 5' RNA cap structures, including non-canonical and chemically modified ones. Therefore, they appear as potent tools for comprehensive in vitro characterisation of capped RNA transcripts, with special focus on synthetic RNAs with therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Lukaszewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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2
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Cornelissen NV, Mineikaitė R, Erguven M, Muthmann N, Peters A, Bartels A, Rentmeister A. Post-synthetic benzylation of the mRNA 5' cap via enzymatic cascade reactions. Chem Sci 2023; 14:10962-10970. [PMID: 37829022 PMCID: PMC10566477 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03822j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNAs are emerging modalities for vaccination and protein replacement therapy. Increasing the amount of protein produced by stabilizing the transcript or enhancing translation without eliciting a strong immune response are major steps towards overcoming the present limitations and improving their therapeutic potential. The 5' cap is a hallmark of mRNAs and non-natural modifications can alter the properties of the entire transcript selectively. Here, we developed a versatile enzymatic cascade for regioselective benzylation of various biomolecules and applied it for post-synthetic modification of mRNA at the 5' cap to demonstrate its potential. Starting from six synthetic methionine analogues bearing (hetero-)benzyl groups, S-adenosyl-l-methionine analogues are formed and utilized for N7G-cap modification of mRNAs. This post-synthetic enzymatic modification exclusively modifies mRNAs at the terminal N7G, producing mRNAs with functional 5' caps. It avoids the wrong orientation of the 5' cap-a problem in common co-transcriptional capping. In the case of the 4-chlorobenzyl group, protein production was increased to 139% during in vitro translation and to 128-150% in four different cell lines. This 5' cap modification did not activate cytosolic pathogen recognition receptors TLR3, TLR7 or TLR8 significantly more than control mRNAs, underlining its potential to contribute to the development of future mRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- N V Cornelissen
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
| | - R Mineikaitė
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
| | - M Erguven
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
- University of Münster, Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre Waldeyerstr. 15 48149 Münster Germany
| | - N Muthmann
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
| | - A Peters
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
| | - A Bartels
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
| | - A Rentmeister
- University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry Corrensstr. 36 48149 Münster Germany
- University of Münster, Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre Waldeyerstr. 15 48149 Münster Germany
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Kwon H, Kim M, Seo Y, Moon YS, Lee HJ, Lee K, Lee H. Emergence of synthetic mRNA: In vitro synthesis of mRNA and its applications in regenerative medicine. Biomaterials 2017; 156:172-193. [PMID: 29197748 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The field of gene therapy has evolved over the past two decades after the first introduction of nucleic acid drugs, such as plasmid DNA (pDNA). With the development of in vitro transcription (IVT) methods, synthetic mRNA has become an emerging class of gene therapy. IVT mRNA has several advantages over conventional pDNA for the expression of target proteins. mRNA does not require nuclear localization to mediate protein translation. The intracellular process for protein expression is much simpler and there is no potential risk of insertion mutagenesis. Having these advantages, the level of protein expression is far enhanced as comparable to that of viral expression systems. This makes IVT mRNA a powerful alternative gene expression system for various applications in regenerative medicine. In this review, we highlight the synthesis and preparation of IVT mRNA and its therapeutic applications. The article includes the design and preparation of IVT mRNA, chemical modification of IVT mRNA, and therapeutic applications of IVT mRNA in cellular reprogramming, stem cell engineering, and protein replacement therapy. Finally, future perspectives and challenges of IVT mRNA are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyokyoung Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunmi Seo
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yae Seul Moon
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Jeong Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuri Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyukjin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
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Okon A, Han J, Dawadi S, Demosthenous C, Aldrich CC, Gupta M, Wagner CR. Anchimerically Activated ProTides as Inhibitors of Cap-Dependent Translation and Inducers of Chemosensitization in Mantle Cell Lymphoma. J Med Chem 2017; 60:8131-8144. [PMID: 28858511 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The cellular delivery of nucleotides through various pronucleotide strategies has expanded the utility of nucleosides as a therapeutic class. Although highly successful, the highly popular ProTide system relies on a four-step enzymatic and chemical process to liberate the corresponding monophosphate. To broaden the scope and reduce the number of steps required for monophosphate release, we have developed a strategy that depends on initial chemical activation by a sulfur atom of a methylthioalkyl protecting group, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis of the resulting phosphoramidate monoester. We have employed this ProTide strategy for intracellular delivery of a nucleotide antagonist of eIF4E in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that chemical inhibition of cap-dependent translation results in suppression of c-Myc expression, increased p27 expression, and enhanced chemosensitization to doxorubicin, dexamethasone, and ibrutinib. In addition, the new ProTide strategy was shown to enhance oral bioavailability of the corresponding monoester phosphoramidate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - JingJing Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States
| | | | - Christos Demosthenous
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic , Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States
| | | | - Mamta Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University , GW Cancer Center, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
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Gampe CM, Hollis-Symynkywicz M, Zécri F. Covalent Chemical 5'-Functionalization of RNA with Diazo Reagents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:10283-6. [PMID: 27431506 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201604385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Functionalization of RNA at the 5'-terminus is important for analytical and therapeutic purposes. Currently, these RNAs are synthesized de novo starting with a chemically functionalized 5'-nucleotide, which is incorporated into RNA using chemical synthesis or biochemical techniques. Methods for direct chemical modification of native RNA would provide an attractive alternative but are currently underexplored. Herein, we report that diazo compounds can be used to selectively alkylate the 5'-phosphate of ribo(oligo)nucleotides to give RNA labelled through a native phosphate ester bond. We applied this method to functionalize oligonucleotides with biotin and an orthosteric inhibitor of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), an enzyme involved in mRNA recognition. The modified RNA binds to eIF4E, demonstrating the utility of this labelling technique to modulate biological activity of RNA. This method complements existing techniques and may be used to chemically introduce a broad range of functional handles at the 5'-end of RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Gampe
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Micah Hollis-Symynkywicz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Frédéric Zécri
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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Gampe CM, Hollis-Symynkywicz M, Zécri F. Covalent Chemical 5′-Functionalization of RNA with Diazo Reagents. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201604385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian M. Gampe
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research; 181 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | | | - Frédéric Zécri
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research; 181 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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Shanmugasundaram M, Charles I, Kore AR. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of dinucleotide mRNA cap analog containing propargyl moiety. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:1204-8. [PMID: 26899596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The first example of the synthesis of new dinucleotide cap analog containing propargyl group such as m(7,3'-O-propargyl)G[5']ppp[5']G is reported. The effect of propargyl cap analog with standard cap was evaluated with respect to their capping efficiency, in vitro T7 RNA polymerase transcription efficiency, and translation activity using cultured HeLa cells. It is noteworthy that propargyl cap analog outperforms standard cap by 3.1 fold in terms of translational properties. The propargyl cap analog forms a more stable complex with translation initiation factor eIF4E based on the molecular modeling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthian Shanmugasundaram
- Life Sciences Solutions Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2130 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 78744-1832, USA
| | - Irudaya Charles
- Life Sciences Solutions Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2130 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 78744-1832, USA
| | - Anilkumar R Kore
- Life Sciences Solutions Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2130 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 78744-1832, USA.
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Warminski M, Warminska Z, Kowalska J, Jemielity J. mRNA Cap Modification through Carbamate Chemistry: Synthesis of Amino- and Carboxy-Functionalised Cap Analogues Suitable for Labelling and Bioconjugation. European J Org Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201500672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Vallazza B, Petri S, Poleganov MA, Eberle F, Kuhn AN, Sahin U. Recombinant messenger RNA technology and its application in cancer immunotherapy, transcript replacement therapies, pluripotent stem cell induction, and beyond. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2015; 6:471-99. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Mainz Germany
- TRON gGmbH; Mainz Germany
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