A team led by Prof. Andrzej Dziembowski and dr hab. Seweryn Mroczek published an article in Nature on the 17th April 2025. The project brought together academics from the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB), Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, PAS (dr hab. A. Tudek), University of Warsaw and Medical University of Warsaw. The article by Krawczyk et al. unveils a crucial role of the non-canonical cytoplasmic TENT5A polyA-polymerase in extending the mRNA vaccine polyadenosine tail, which was tested using the Comirnaty and Spikevax products widely disseminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This TENT5A role was identified in immune cells, and in particular in macrophages, and contributed to the efficacy of the mRNA vaccine by extending its cellular half-life. Therefore, the data acquired will enable the future development of more efficient mRNA-based drugs.

Full text: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08842-1