Mass spectrometry-based analysis of RNA and its modifications.

Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are key biomolecules responsible for the transmission of genetic information, the synthesis of proteins and its regulation, and modulation of many biochemical processes. They are also the key components of many viruses. Chemically modified synthetic RNAs or oligoribonucleotides are becoming more widely used as therapeutics and vaccines. Demands for technologies to detect, sequence, identify, and quantify RNA and its modifications far exceed requirements found in the DNA realm. Currently, mass spectrometry (MS) has become the primary technology for identifying, sequencing, and quantifying RNA and its modifications. This paper mainly reviews latest advances in mass spectrometry for the research of RNA and its modifications, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this technology, aiming to provide readers with a comprehensive perspective from technical fundamentals to application prospects, promote the broader application of mass spectrometry in RNA research, and provide important references for method developers and biological researchers in the field.