Paper Highlights
Quality Control of mRNA Vaccines by Synthetic Ribonucleases: Analysis of the Poly-A-Tail
Felix Zellmann, Nina Schmauk, Nina Murmann, Madeleine Böhm, Alexander Schwenger, Michael Göbel
ChemBioChem 2024, 25, e202400347
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202400347 (open access)
Oligonucleotide conjugates of tris(2-aminobenzimidazoles), known as potent and sequence-specific RNA cleavers, are applied as analytical tools to check the poly-A tail and the 5’ terminus of mRNA vaccines.
Ribosome-free translation up to pentapeptides via template walkon RNA sequences
Sabrina G. Reußwig, Clemens Richert
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, e202410317
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202410317
What was first demonstrated as single-nucleotide translation has now been expanded up to pentapeptides.
Solid-Phase-Supported Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of a Light-Activatable tRNA Derivative
Anja Blümler, Harald Schwalbe, Alexander Heckel
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202111613
Here, we present a multi-cycle chemoenzymatic synthesis of modified RNA with simplified solid-phase handling to overcome size limitations of RNA synthesis. It combines the advantages of classical chemical solid-phase synthesis and enzymatic synthesis methods using magnetic streptavidin beads and biotinylated RNA. Successful introduction of light-controllable RNA nucleotides into the tRNAMet sequence was confirmed by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The methods tolerate modifications in the RNA phosphodiester backbone and allow introductions of photocaged and photoswitchable nucleotides as well as photocleavable strand breaks and fluorophores.
Controlling Coagulation in Blood with Red Light
Patricia Müller, Marlen Sahlbach, Simone Gasper, Prof. Dr. Günter Mayer, Priv.-Doz. Dr. Jens Müller, Prof. Dr. Bernd Pötzsch, Prof. Dr. Alexander Heckel
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 22441.
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202108468 (open access)
An engineered aptamer with a Cy7-based photocleavable linker can be used as anticoagulant. With tissue-penetrating red light, the aptamer is cleaved, and blood clotting is restored in human whole blood.
Till Opatz, Joerg Senn-Bilfinger, Clemens Richert
Angew. Chem. 2020, 132, doi/10.1002/ange.202004721
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ange.202004721
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202004721
A three-pronged approach for chemists to contribute to fighting the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is proposed.
A Benzophenone‐Based Photocaging Strategy for the N7 Position of Guanosine
Lea Anhäuser, Nils Klöcker, Fabian Muttach, Florian Mäsing, Petr Špaček, Armido Studer and Andrea Rentmeister
Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2020, 59, 3161-3165.
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201914573 (open access)
Aryl ketones are photolabile caging groups if installed at the N7 position of guanosine or the N1 position of adenosine whereas common photocaging groups derived from the ortho‐nitrobenzyl moiety were not suitable.
