Aji Bio-Pharma Develops Highly Functional Ancestral RNA Ligase

Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, a provider of biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing services, has developed a new enzyme for double strand oligonucleotide formation with high productivity.
 
In collaboration with researchers from the University of Shizuoka, Aji Bio-Pharma developed a highly functional artificial RNA ligase using the ancestral design method. It was found that this artificial RNA ligase has higher thermostability than natural RNA ligase as well as superior ligation activity for RNA fragments containing xenonucleic acid.
 
When using the natural RNA ligase for RNA fragments (including xenonucleic acid) as reaction substrates to synthesize a marketed siRNA drug substance, the yield was only 20% after 24 hours of reaction. In contrast, when using the highly functional artificial RNA ligase, the reaction yield improved to 80% under the same conditions, confirming that it has properties suitable for enzymatic synthesis of nucleic acid medicines, according to the company. 
 
 “We are excited to provide new research to our partners and support them in their efforts to supply lifesaving therapeutics,” said Yusuke Hagiwara, Senior Researcher, Ajinomoto Bioscience & Fine Chemicals Research Laboratories. “This discovery for siRNA is a great example of Aji Bio-Pharma continuing to provide reliable and innovative solutions to our clients.”
 
The RNA fragments used as reaction substrates can be produced by conventional solid phase synthesis, and by Ajinomoto Co.’s AJIPHASE® technology, especially in large quantities and with high purity. This achievement is expected to be applied as one of the technologies that enables the mass production of nucleic acid drugs with high efficiency and high purity.