Components of BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine

Mon Dec 28, 2020 · 97 words

The 6 key components of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine are the cap, 5’-UTR, signal peptide, spike protein, 3’-UTR and a poly-A tail.

The cap makes the vaccine mRNA look legitimate.
The 5’-UTR helps with immune system evasion and translation.
The signal peptide says this protein should exit via the endoplasmic reticulum (just like SARS-CoV-2).
The spike protein is almost identical to the SARS-CoV-2 spike except for 2 proline substitutions.
The 3’-UTR is chosen for RNA stability and expression.
The poly-A tail protects the mRNA from degradation.

See also