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Overview
This GenCefe mRNA encodes TIGIT, a membrane protein, immune checkpoints construct supplied for antibody validation and cell-based binding assays. The product is formulated as lyophilised, non-encapsulated RNA and is intended for use in cell-based research applications requiring transient protein expression with reduced immunogenicity.
mRNA Construct Design
- 5′ Cap: Cap1 (m7GpppNm) — co-transcriptionally added during in vitro transcription (IVT). Cap1 includes 2′-O-methylation at the first transcribed nucleotide, closely mimicking the cap structure found on endogenous mammalian mRNA and reducing recognition by innate immune sensors (e.g., IFIT1/IFIT3).
- Modified Nucleotides: 100% N1-methylpseudouridine (m1Ψ; N1-Me-Pseudo UTP) substitution for all uridine residues. m1Ψ modification reduces TLR7/TLR8-mediated innate immune activation and PKR-driven translational suppression, resulting in improved protein expression in immunocompetent cells and primary cell types.
- Poly(A) Tail: 100–120 nt — enzymatically polyadenylated. The poly(A) tail stabilises the 3′ terminus, supports poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) recruitment, and enhances ribosome recycling for efficient cap-dependent translation.
- 5′ UTR: hHBA1 (hemoglobin subunit alpha 1 5′ UTR) — a well-characterised human UTR that supports efficient cap-dependent translation initiation.
- 3′ UTR: hHBA1 (hemoglobin subunit alpha 1 3′ UTR) — provides post-transcriptional stability and modulates mRNA decay kinetics.
- Signal Peptide: No
- Protein Tag: No
- Codon Optimisation: No (native human codon usage retained)
- mRNA Length: Provided upon order placement.
- Form: Lyophilised powder; reconstitute in DEPC-treated water as needed.
This mRNA is supplied as non-encapsulated, lyophilised powder. Delivery vehicle selection (LNP, electroporation, lipofection) is at the discretion of the end user and should be optimised for the target cell type and application.
Biological Background
Immune checkpoint molecules are co-inhibitory or co-stimulatory receptors that regulate the magnitude and duration of immune responses. Checkpoint blockade — inhibiting pathways such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 — has transformed clinical oncology. mRNA-based expression of checkpoint proteins on cell surfaces provides a physiologically relevant model for antibody binding studies, receptor-ligand blocking assays, and mechanistic validation of checkpoint inhibitor candidates. Because the protein is expressed from endogenous translational machinery, the surface presentation better mimics native post-translational modifications compared to ectodomain recombinant proteins.
Research Relevance and Current Trends
- Checkpoint blockade mechanism studies: PD-1, PD-L1, and TIGIT mRNA expression enables cell-based co-culture assays to study how checkpoint inhibitory antibodies restore T-cell effector function.
- Binding affinity characterisation: mRNA-expressed native checkpoint proteins on cell surfaces are used in flow-based antibody kinetic binding assays that are difficult to replicate with ectodomain fusion proteins.
- Combinatorial checkpoint immunotherapy: mRNA co-expression of multiple checkpoint ligands models the complex immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment for multi-target blockade studies.
Common Research Applications
- Checkpoint blockade functional assays — co-culture of mRNA-expressed PD-L1 or TIGIT cells with primary T cells to measure blockade-mediated restoration of T-cell function.
- Antibody binding and blocking studies — flow cytometry-based competitive binding and blocking assays using checkpoint protein-expressing target cells.
- Mechanistic studies in exhaustion models — transient checkpoint expression in activation-suppression co-culture systems to model T-cell exhaustion and reinvigoration.
Notes for Experimental Interpretation
- PD-L1 mRNA expression may be influenced by endogenous IFN-γ signalling in some cell lines; confirm that expression is driven primarily by transfected mRNA rather than endogenous upregulation.
- Checkpoint protein binding assays require careful antibody selection; some therapeutic antibody clones target specific epitopes that may be partially occluded in the mRNA-expressed cell surface context.
- TIGIT–PVR interaction studies benefit from expressing both receptor and ligand in the co-culture system; ensure surface expression of both partners is confirmed before running blocking assays.
Synthetic mRNA products typically incorporate chemical modifications to minimize innate immune recognition. The most widely used modification is N1-methylpseudouridine (m1Ψ) substitution at all uridine positions, which reduces activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR7/TLR8) and protein kinase R (PKR), resulting in improved translational efficiency and a reduced inflammatory response. The 5′ cap structure is equally important: Cap1 (m7GpppNm), which includes 2′-O-methylation at the first transcribed nucleotide, closely mimics endogenous mammalian mRNA and limits recognition by innate immune sensors such as IFIT1 and IFIT3. Together, these modifications support more robust and sustained protein expression in research applications.
Synthetic mRNA is highly sensitive to ribonuclease (RNase) degradation and must be handled carefully. Lyophilized products should be stored at −20°C; aqueous formulations should be kept at −70°C or below. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided — aliquoting immediately upon receipt is strongly recommended. All handling must be performed in an RNase-free environment using dedicated pipettes, nuclease-free consumables, and DEPC-treated or certified nuclease-free water. RNA integrity should be confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis (e.g., Bioanalyzer or Fragment Analyzer) before use in critical experiments, particularly for transfection or in vivo delivery applications.
Linear mRNA and circular RNA (circRNA) differ fundamentally in structure, stability, and translational mechanism. Linear mRNA carries a 5′ cap and poly(A) tail that enable efficient cap-dependent translation by the ribosome; it is ideal for studies requiring rapid, high-level transient protein expression, mRNA delivery research, and immunogen modeling. circRNA lacks free 5′ and 3′ ends, making it inherently resistant to exonucleolytic degradation, which confers substantially greater intracellular stability. Translation of circRNA occurs via internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) or other cap-independent mechanisms. circRNA is particularly valuable for miRNA sponge applications, sustained transgene expression platforms, and studies of RNA stability and function. Choose linear mRNA when fast, high-yield transient expression is needed; choose circRNA when extended intracellular stability, prolonged expression, or sponge-based loss-of-function studies are the priority.
Quality-controlled synthetic mRNA should be characterized by multiple orthogonal analytical methods. Standard assessments include: agarose gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis (Bioanalyzer, Fragment Analyzer) to confirm full-length transcript integrity; HPLC to assess purity and residual double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) content; UV spectrophotometry for concentration and A260/A280 ratio; and optionally LC-MS for sequence and modification verification. A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) should accompany each lot, documenting yield, purity, integrity score, and endotoxin level (LAL assay) for products used in cell-based or animal studies. Functional activity is further confirmed by in vitro transfection followed by protein detection (e.g., flow cytometry, Western blot, or luminescence assay), confirming translational competence of the final product.
Synthetic mRNA can be delivered into cells and organisms through several established modalities. For in vitro applications, lipid-based transfection reagents (lipofection), electroporation, and polymer-based nanoparticles are the most common approaches. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the gold-standard delivery system and support high transfection efficiency both in vitro and in vivo. For in vivo studies, intramuscular, intravenous, intratumoral, or intraperitoneal administration may be used depending on the target tissue and research objective; the choice of delivery vehicle (LNP, polymeric carrier, or direct injection) should be matched to the organ of interest and application. Delivery efficiency is influenced by mRNA modifications, concentration, formulation composition, and cell type; optimization experiments are recommended for each new experimental system before scaling.
Can't find the mRNA or circRNA construct you need? We offer custom synthesis and add-on services to help you move your project forward — from sequence design and codon optimization to custom mRNA synthesis and circular RNA (circRNA) production for both in vitro and in vivo applications. Options may include chemically modified mRNA (e.g., N1-methylpseudouridine substitution, Cap1 capping strategy), circRNA synthesis via chemical ligation (short segments ≤100 nt) or IVT-based cyclization (longer constructs ≥200 nt), HPLC purification, and full QC documentation including gel or Bioanalyzer integrity analysis and a Certificate of Analysis. Additional options may include multiple synthesis scales from small research batches to larger quantities, miRNA sponge circRNA constructs, IRES element selection for cap-independent circRNA translation, labels and conjugation, and delivery formulation guidance. We can also assist with negative and scramble control formats and related RNA tools when a catalog product does not meet your specifications. Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support. Our team will be in contact with you shortly.
