mRNA Cap 2´-O-Methyltransferase adds a methyl group at the 2´-O position of the first nucleotide adjacent to the cap structure at the 5´ end of the RNA

• mRNA cap-1 structure may improve expression during microinjection and transfection experiments
• Isolated from a recombinant source
• Tested for the absence of endonucleases, exonucleases, RNases

The enzyme utilizes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor to methylate capped RNA (cap-0) resulting in a cap-1 structure. Recently, it has been reported that the 2' O methylation in the cap 1 structure helps the mRNA evade innate immune response in some cell types in vivo. mRNA Cap 2' -O-Methyltransferase specifically requires RNA with an m7GpppN cap as substrate. It cannot utilize RNA with pN, ppN, pppN or GpppN at the 5' end. Capped RNA may be prepared via in vitro transcription using cap analog or through enzymatic capping using the Vaccinia Capping Enzyme. The reagents provided in this pack can be used to methylate up to 400 µg of capped RNA.