Title: Double stranded RNAs as gene silencing tool: An overview
Abstract: Gene silencing has evolved in a broad range of organisms probably as defense mechanism against invasive nucleic acids. RNA interference (RNAi) is a process of sequence specific post-transcriptional gene silencing that has been triggered by double stranded RNA ds(RNA) in a wide variety of organisms. Two major strategies are utilized. Transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) acts to prevent RNA synthesis and post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) acts to degrade existing RNA. Introducing transgenes, RNA viruses, or DNA sequences that are homologous to expressed genes can activate silencing. RNA silencing is a potent means to counteract foreign sequences and its use had made it possible to ascribe certain biological functions to sequenced genes. It could play an important role in the development of functional genomics. This review elaborates the current progress on the understanding of the molecular basis of RNA silencing and further possibilities to use this as a technique to develop novel therapeutic molecules.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot