The efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines mRNA1273 and BNT162b2 might be complicated by rampant C-to-U RNA editing

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 RNA vaccines are smartly designed to increase the synonymous codon usage by introducing multiple U-to-C mutations. This design would elevate the translation efficiency of vaccine RNAs. However, we found evidence to reason that the designed cytidines might be converted to uridines again by C-to-U RNA deamination in host cells. This C-to-U mechanism might be a main factor that affects the efficacy and safety of RNA vaccines.

Keywords: C-to-U RNA editing; Efficacy; SARS-CoV-2; Synonymous codon usage; Vaccines.