MANY MINDEDIBS identifies viral RNA elements that could stabilize mRNA vaccines for diseases with limited options
Researchers from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for RNA Research identified 23 TENT4-dependent tailon elements distributed across 19 viral genera. These elements, particularly Pt1 derived from Potamipivirus, stabilize mRNA by recruiting cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerases (PAPγ and PAPα). In vitro, Pt1-containing mRNA achieved a 23.1-hour half-life—nearly three times longer than conventional linear mRNA’s 7.6-hour half-life. In mice, tailon-enhanced mRNA produced detectable protein signals for up to 14 days, compared to 1-3 days for standard linear or circular mRNA. The technology could reduce mRNA dosage requirements in therapeutics, potentially lowering costs for diseases with limited treatment options. The findings were published in *Cell* (2026) with DOI 10.1016/j.cell.2026.07.038. This research emerged from screening 337 vertebrate-infecting viruses divided into nearly 200,000 short segments.
The mechanism involves tailon elements acting as molecular scaffolds that recruit cellular enzymes to maintain mRNA integrity longer than conventional designs. This stability could address a key barrier to mRNA therapeutics: rapid degradation in the body that currently requires high doses and frequent re-administration.
For abundance, this work moves toward cheaper, more accessible mRNA vaccines and treatments for diseases where options are scarce. If scaled, reduced dosage requirements could lower production costs and logistical complexity—critical for low-resource settings where vaccine delivery is challenging.
What to watch: Clinical validation of tailon elements in human cells and their impact on therapeutic dosing. Current results are preliminary in vitro and in vivo, with efficacy potentially varying by mRNA design and delivery method. The 2026 publication date indicates this is still future research, not yet implemented.
Source: Phys.org