Custom Specially Modified tRNA Synthesis

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the most abundant RNA present at tens of millions of transcripts in human cells. tRNA is an important adapter molecule that converts the information contained in mRNA into an amino acid sequence. tRNA modifications play a multi-faceted role in decoding and other cellular processes. Modified tRNAs are interesting tools for studying the field of RNA biology, BOC Sciences provides custom specially modified tRNA synthesis services combined with accurate detection of these modifications.

Application of the Modified tRNA

The development of new scalable chemical methods to modify RNA will overcome the limitations of current RNA applications. This will have implications for the fields of biotechnology and therapeutics. Modified tRNAs have potential applications in many fields, such as:

• The Cancer Field: New and improved fields of oncology from novel tRNA-based therapeutics
• Animal Health
• Plant Sciences

Fig 1. tRNA modifications in the regulation of gene expressio. (Duechler M, 2016)

Our Services

BOC Sciences offers two synthetic strategies that can be used to generate stable modified tNRAs. The first method is completed through enzymatic reactions, and the second one is developed based on solid-phase synthesis and click chemistry.

Solid-phase Synthesis Services

BOC Sciences provides a novel tRNA modification strategy that combines the solid-phase synthesis of RNA and chemical ligation, in which several chemically synthesized RNA strands are linked into one strand, thereby creating a large enough tRNA molecule that can be used as a therapeutic molecule. We use an automated solid-phase method to assemble tRNA strands, which are then ligated together to produce fully synthetic tRNAs.

Technical Summary

• The therapeutic benefit of tRNAs can be enhanced by introducing multiple modified bases, sugars, and backbone linkages at defined positions.
• Allows for the creation of modified proteins with new and improved properties through the inclusion of non-natural building blocks (amino acids).

Enzymatic Synthesis Services

tRNA molecules play a key role in adapting the sequence of the genetic code with amino acids, which is very dependent on the presence of modified nucleotides in tRNA. We offer high-purity enzymatic tRNA synthesis services for the synthesis of site-specifically modified tRNAs, which are then purified from unmodified tRNAs using selective oligonucleotide-based hybridization methods.

Purification of tRNA

We provide a comprehensive mapping service of tRNA modifications using affinity chromatography techniques. The total modification content of tRNAs can be precisely identified and quantified after the isolation of total tRNAs from whole cells or specific cellular compartments following nuclease digestion to generate oligonucleotides using mass spectrometry. In addition, for certain types of tRNA modifications and their extent, we offer high-throughput tRNA sequencing services for semi-quantitative determination. Our efficient read-through enables the assessment of multiple modifications in the same tRNA molecule.

BOC Sciences tRNA Synthesis Capabilities

• We provide specialized chemical modifications or modified bases to deliver a variety of chemically modified tRNA molecules.
• Expertise in long RNA oligos, dye labeling and custom amidites.