RNA Adenosine-to-Inosine (A-to-I) Editing Analysis

RNA adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a fundamental post-transcriptional mechanism that diversifies the transcriptome and fine-tunes gene expression by enzymatically converting adenosine to inosine. CD BioSciences delivers specialized, high-throughput A-to-I editing analysis services, enabling precise detection and functional interpretation of editing sites to accelerate discoveries in neurobiology, immunology, and oncology.

Introduction to RNA Adenosine-to-Inosine (A-to-I) Editing

RNA adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a co-/post-transcriptional modification predominantly catalyzed by the ADAR enzyme family, which deaminates adenosine (A) to inosine (I) within double-stranded RNA regions. As inosine is biochemically recognized as guanosine (G) by the cellular machinery, this conversion effectively results in an A-to-G change in the RNA sequence. This process can lead to recoding of protein sequences during translation, alteration of splice sites, creation or disruption of miRNA binding sites, and modulation of RNA structure and stability. It is a critical regulatory layer, especially in the nervous system for neuronal function and plasticity. Dysregulated A-to-I editing is strongly implicated in neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, ALS), autoimmune diseases, and various cancers, making its comprehensive analysis vital for uncovering novel disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.

A schematic diagram of adenosine deamination and the ADAR enzyme family.

Fig.1 Adenosine deamination and the ADAR enzyme family. (Slotkin W, Nishikura K., 2013)

Our Services

Building on a foundation of cutting-edge sequencing technology and bioinformatic expertise, CD BioSciences offers end-to-end A-to-I editing analysis solutions to decode the complex landscape of RNA recoding. We combine optimized RNA sequencing with sophisticated, multi-step bioinformatics pipelines to deliver accurate identification, precise quantification, and functional annotation of editing sites. Our service empowers researchers to investigate the role of this dynamic process in development, cellular differentiation, disease progression, and adaptation.

Customized RNA A-to-I Editing Analysis Solution

CD BioSciences provides tailored RNA A-to-I editing analysis solutions designed to meet the specific scope and depth of your research. We move beyond standard workflows by integrating optimized experimental protocols with advanced, project-specific bioinformatics strategies.

Service	Application	Description
Amplicon Sequencing Service	For Targeted Validation & Quantification	Quantify editing efficiency with high precision at specific, known A-to-I sites through deep, targeted sequencing of PCR-amplified regions.
Total RNA-Seq Service	For Genome-Wide Discovery	Discover novel A-to-I editing sites transcriptome-wide by sequencing complete RNA populations and bioinformatically identifying A-to-G mismatches.
Targeted RNA-Seq Service	For Focused, High-Depth Profiling	Achieve deep, cost-effective profiling of A-to-I editing within focused gene sets or pathways by concentrating sequencing power on regions of interest.
Sanger Sequencing Service	For Gold-Standard Site Confirmation	Validate individual A-to-I editing sites with gold-standard accuracy through direct sequencing of PCR-amplified cDNA products.

Workflow of RNA A-to-I Editing Analysis Service

At CD BioSciences, we have established a streamlined and rigorous workflow for A-to-I editing analysis, designed to ensure accuracy from sample to insight. This process integrates optimized experimental steps with our specialized bioinformatics pipeline, guiding your project from initial consultation to the delivery of validated, publication-ready data on RNA recoding events.

Project Consultation & Strategy Design

Our experts collaborate with you to define your research objectives, select the optimal sequencing strategy (e.g., total RNA-seq for discovery or targeted sequencing for validation), and finalize a customized project plan.

Sample Preparation & Quality Control

We perform stringent quality assessment on your RNA samples (and optional gDNA) to ensure integrity, purity, and suitability for high-fidelity library construction and sequencing.

Library Construction & Sequencing

Using optimized protocols, we prepare high-quality sequencing libraries from your RNA. These libraries are then processed on Illumina platforms to generate the deep, accurate sequencing data required for reliable editing detection.

Bioinformatics & Editing Detection

Our specialized pipeline processes the data, performing alignment, stringent base-calling, and statistical filtering to distinguish true A-to-I editing sites from SNPs and sequencing artifacts, resulting in a high-confidence editome.

Validation & Functional Annotation

Key candidate editing sites can be validated using orthogonal methods like Sanger sequencing. We further annotate sites for potential functional impact, such as amino acid recoding or effects on splicing and miRNA binding.

Comprehensive Reporting & Delivery

You receive a detailed report containing all raw data, processed results, visualizations, and a clear biological interpretation of the significant A-to-I editing dynamics relevant to your study.

Our Advantages

Ensure Strong Sample Compatibility: Deliver robust performance across a wide range of sample types, including cultured cell lines, animal/plant tissues, whole blood/PBMCs, cell-free RNA, and FFPE samples.
Guarantee High-Fidelity Detection: Employ stringent bioinformatics filters and statistical models to minimize false positives, ensuring the accurate identification of true A-to-I editing events distinct from SNPs and technical noise.
Deliver Actionable Biological Insights: Provide deep functional annotation of editing sites, analyzing their potential impact on protein recoding, splicing, and miRNA targeting to translate data into clear biological understanding.
Offer End-to-End Expert Partnership: Provide dedicated scientific support from experimental design through data interpretation, leveraging our specialized expertise in RNA editing biology and complex data analysis.

Beyond A-to-I editing, CD BioSciences offers comprehensive services for all major RNA modifications, including m6A, m5C, ac4C, Ψ, m6Am, m7G, and m1A analysis. We deliver fully customized, end-to-end solutions to meet your specific research objectives in gene regulation, disease mechanism elucidation, and therapeutic development. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.

Reference

1. Slotkin W, Nishikura K. Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing and human disease[J]. Genome medicine, 2013, 5(11): 105.