Analysis of mRNA 5’ Cap Structure Using a Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

User Benefits

- The LCMS-9050 quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer and the LabSolutions Insight™ Biologics analysis software enable characterization of the 5’ cap structure of mRNA. - The software enables simple confirmation of the fragment coverage of nucleic acids and their impurities. - The software enables analysis of modifications and impurities that are set by the user.

Introduction

There has been increased attention on the new drug discovery modality of mRNA because of its efficacy in COVID-19 vaccines, and its applications for vaccines and other pharmaceuticals are expected to grow. Currently authorized mRNA vaccines are synthesized using in vitro transcription to add the Cap-1 structure (m7GpppRm-) on the 5’ end. This modification contributes to mRNA recognition, better efficiency of translation, and stability of mRNA in cell, making 5’ cap structure analysis an important element of mRNA quality controls. This Application News presents a study of mRNA 5’ cap structure using the LCMS-9050 quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer and LabSolutions Insight Biologics analysis software.

June 25, 2024 GMT