Abstract Nucleic acid-based therapies have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases through their ability to silence and/or regulate gene expression. Strategies for the large-scale purification of RNA are still being developed, creating a need for more fundamental understanding of the behavior of RNA in different separation systems. The objective of this work was to evaluate RNA transmission through a series of composite regenerated cellulose and polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes with different molecular weight cutoffs. Data were obtained using Torula yeast RNA, with the size distribution evaluated by both dynamic light scattering and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results with dilute RNA solutions were strongly influenced by RNA adsorption to the composite regenerated cellulose membrane; this effect was not seen with the polyethersulfone membranes. Data for the polyethersulfone membranes were analyzed using the concentration polarization model, which describes the affects of bulk mass transfer on RNA transmission, in combination with available hydrodynamic models for membrane transport. The results provide important insights into the factors controlling RNA transmission and the potential for using ultrafiltration for the purification of nucleic acid therapeutics.

中文翻译：

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RNA通过超滤膜传输的定量研究

摘要 基于核酸的疗法具有通过其沉默和/或调节基因表达的能力来治疗多种疾病的潜力。大规模纯化 RNA 的策略仍在开发中，因此需要对不同分离系统中 RNA 的行为有更基本的了解。这项工作的目的是评估通过一系列具有不同分子量截断值的复合再生纤维素和聚醚砜超滤膜的 RNA 传输。使用圆环酵母 RNA 获得数据，并通过动态光散射和琼脂糖凝胶电泳评估大小分布。RNA 对复合再生纤维素膜的吸附强烈影响稀释 RNA 溶液的结果；聚醚砜膜没有观察到这种效果。使用浓度极化模型分析聚醚砜膜的数据，该模型描述了大量传质对 RNA 传输的影响，并结合可用的膜传输流体动力学模型。结果为控制 RNA 传输的因素和使用超滤纯化核酸治疗剂的潜力提供了重要的见解。