Collagen-encoding messenger RNA (Collagen mRNA)

Collagen-encoding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are the essential genetic templates that direct the synthesis of collagen proteins, which constitute the primary structural framework of the extracellular matrix in vertebrates (NCBI Gene, 2024). These mRNAs, transcribed from genes such as COL1A1 and COL3A1, are highly regulated during tissue development and repair but become pathologically overexpressed in various fibrotic conditions (PubMed, 2023). In diseases like liver cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis, the persistent elevation of collagen mRNA leads to the accumulation of scar tissue, eventually resulting in organ failure. Conversely, mutations within these mRNA sequences can lead to the production of defective proteins, causing hereditary disorders like Osteogenesis imperfecta (UniProt, 2024). Modern pharmacological approaches aim to modulate these levels using RNA-based therapies, such as siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides, to selectively silence collagen production in diseased tissues (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2023). While most clinical-stage candidates currently target collagen-related chaperones like HSP47, direct targeting of collagen mRNA remains a high-priority strategy for treating chronic fibroproliferative diseases.

Other names

Procollagen mRNACOL1A1 mRNACOL1A2 mRNACOL3A1 mRNAType I collagen mRNAType III collagen mRNA

Therapeutic agents targeting collagen-encoding mRNAs typically employ RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to bind specifically to the mRNA sequence. This binding either triggers the degradation of the mRNA transcript via the RISC complex or physically obstructs the ribosome, thereby preventing the translation of the mRNA into collagen proteins and reducing excessive extracellular matrix deposition.