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Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Characterizing RNA Modifications in Single Neurons Using Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 21, 2022
Analysis of RNA and Its Modifications
Cassandra Herbert1, Satenik Valesyan1, Jennifer Kist1
1Rieveschl Laboratories for Mass Spectrometry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;
Abstract:
Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are key biomolecules responsible for the transmission of genetic information, the synthesis of proteins, and modulation of many biochemical processes. They are also often the key components of viruses. Synthetic RNAs or oligoribonucleotides are becoming more widely used as therapeutics. In many cases, RNAs will be chemically modified, either naturally via enzymatic systems within a cell or intentionally during their synthesis. Analytical methods to detect, sequence, identify, and quantify RNA and its modifications have demands that far exceed requirements found in the DNA realm. Two complementary platforms have demonstrated their value and utility for the characterization of RNA and its modifications: mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing. This review highlights recent advances in both platforms, examines their relative strengths and weaknesses, and explores some alternative approaches that lie at the horizon.
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