mRNA incorporation of C(5)-halogenated pyrimidine ribonucleotides and induced high expression of corresponding protein for the development of mRNA vaccine.

In this report, we present our studies on mRNA, which was modified by introducing various halogen substituents at the C(5) position of the pyrimidine base. Specifically, we synthesized C(5)-halogenated (F, Cl, Br, I) pyrimidine ribonucleoside triphosphates and incorporated them into mRNA during in-vitro transcription. The efficiency of the in-vitro transcription reaction of halogenated pyrimidine was observed to decrease as the size of the halogen substituent increased and the electronegativity thereof decreased (F > Cl > Br) except for iodine.

The Early Secretory Pathway Is Crucial for Multiple Aspects of the Hepatitis C Virus Life Cycle.

Although most of the early events of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle are well characterized, our understanding of HCV egress is still unclear. Some reports implicate the conventional endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi route, while some propose noncanonical secretory routes. Initially, the envelopment of HCV nucleocapsid occurs by budding into the ER lumen.

Defective Mitochondrial Quality Control during Dengue Infection Contributes to Disease Pathogenesis.

Mitochondrial fitness is governed by mitochondrial quality control pathways comprising mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial-selective autophagy (mitophagy). Disruption of these processes has been implicated in many human diseases, including viral infections. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of the effect of dengue infection on host mitochondrial homeostasis and its significance in dengue disease pathogenesis.