Bundling mRNA Strands to Prepare Nano-Assemblies with Enhanced Stability Towards RNase for In Vivo Delivery
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Naoto Yoshinaga1, Eol Cho1, Kyoko Koji1
1Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.
Abstract:
Ribonuclease (RNase)-mediated degradation of messenger RNA (mRNA) poses a huge obstruction to in vivo mRNA delivery. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to protect mRNA by structuring mRNA to prevent RNase attack through steric hinderance. Bundling of mRNA strands through hybridization of RNA oligonucleotide linkers allowed the preparation of mRNA nano-assemblies (R-NAs) comprised of 7.7 mRNA strands on average, mostly below 100 nm in diameter. R-NA formation boosted RNase stability by around 100-fold compared to naïve mRNA and preserved translational activity, allowing protein production. A mechanistic analysis suggests that an endogenous mRNA unwinding mechanism triggered by 5'-cap-dependent translation may induce selective R-NA dissociation intracellularly, leading to smooth translation. R-NAs showed efficient mRNA transfection in mouse brain, demonstrating the feasibility for in vivo administration.
Related Concept Videos
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
mRNA Stability and Gene Expression
RNA Stability
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
The chromatin structure, especially...
Lagging Strand Synthesis
There are several major differences between synthesis of the leading strand and synthesis of the lagging strand. 1) Leading strand synthesis happens in the direction of replication fork opening, whereas lagging strand synthesis happens in the...

