Characterization and Sequence Mapping of Large RNA and mRNA Therapeutics Using Mass Spectrometry

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 94; no. 20; pp. 7339 - 7349
• Main Authors: Vanhinsbergh, Christina J., Criscuolo, Angela, Sutton, Jennifer N., Murphy, Keeley, Williamson, Andrew J. K., Cook, Ken, Dickman, Mark J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 24.05.2022
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Analytical methods; Annotations; Automation; Chemistry; Gene sequencing; Liquid chromatography; Mapping; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; mRNA; Nucleotide sequence; Proteins; Ribonuclease T1; Sample preparation; Scientific imaging; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spectroscopy; Spike protein; Vaccines; Workflow
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00765

Large RNA including mRNA (mRNA) has emerged as an important new class of therapeutics. Recently, this has been demonstrated by two highly efficacious vaccines based on mRNA sequences encoding for a modified version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. There is currently significant demand for the development of new and improved analytical methods for the characterization of large RNA including mRNA therapeutics. In this study, we have developed an automated, high-throughput workflow for the rapid characterization and direct sequence mapping of large RNA and mRNA therapeutics. Partial RNase digestions using RNase T1 immobilized on magnetic particles were performed in conjunction with high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Sequence mapping was performed using automated oligoribo­nucleotide annotation and identifications based on MS/MS spectra. Using this approach, a >80% sequence of coverage of a range of large RNAs and mRNA therapeutics including the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was obtained in a single analysis. The analytical workflow, including automated sample preparation, can be completed within 90 min. The ability to rapidly identify, characterize, and sequence map large mRNA therapeutics with high sequence coverage provides important information for identity testing, sequence validation, and impurity analysis.