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.
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