Abstract
In recent years a new mechanism of posttranscriptional gene silencing has been discovered and named RNA interference. The interference is based on mRNA degradation mediated by small double-stranded RNA molecules approximately 21 nucleotides in length, the so-called short interfering or siRNAs. These molecules are produced from long dsRNAs by Dicer, a dsRNA-specific endonuclease, and cause specific degradation of their mRNA-targets by Watson-Crick base-pairing within a 300 kD multi-enzyme complex named RISC. RNAi is highly conserved between plants and animals of various phyla including mammals. The high sequence-specificity of RNAi makes it a new, promising tool in gene-function analysis as well as in potential therapeutics. In this review the discovery and molecular background of RNAi are summarized and possible fields of application pointed out.
Keywords: rnai, dicer, risc, ptgs, cancer, treatment strategies
Current Molecular Medicine
Title: Silencing of Disease-related Genes by Small Interfering RNAs
Volume: 4 Issue: 5
Author(s): U. Fuchs, C. Damm-Welk and A. Borkhardt
Affiliation:
Keywords: rnai, dicer, risc, ptgs, cancer, treatment strategies
Abstract: In recent years a new mechanism of posttranscriptional gene silencing has been discovered and named RNA interference. The interference is based on mRNA degradation mediated by small double-stranded RNA molecules approximately 21 nucleotides in length, the so-called short interfering or siRNAs. These molecules are produced from long dsRNAs by Dicer, a dsRNA-specific endonuclease, and cause specific degradation of their mRNA-targets by Watson-Crick base-pairing within a 300 kD multi-enzyme complex named RISC. RNAi is highly conserved between plants and animals of various phyla including mammals. The high sequence-specificity of RNAi makes it a new, promising tool in gene-function analysis as well as in potential therapeutics. In this review the discovery and molecular background of RNAi are summarized and possible fields of application pointed out.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Fuchs U., Damm-Welk C. and Borkhardt A., Silencing of Disease-related Genes by Small Interfering RNAs, Current Molecular Medicine 2004; 4 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524043360492
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524043360492 |
Print ISSN 1566-5240 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5666 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Annexins Bend Wound Edges during Plasma Membrane Repair
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial [Hot Topic: Drug Targets in Viral Infections (Guest Editor: Jean-Marc Sabatier)]
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Radiation-Induced Extracranial Carotid Stenosis
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Image Fusion of Diagnostic Ultrasound with Other Modalities
Current Medical Imaging miRNAs as Modulators of Cholesterol in Breast Cancer Stem Cells: An Approach to Overcome Drug Resistance in Cancer
Current Drug Targets Direct Evidence on the Immune-Mediated Spontaneous Regression of Human Cancer: An Incentive for Pharmaceutical Companies to Develop a Novel Anti-Cancer Vaccine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Genetic Surgery - A Right Strategy to Attack Cancer
Current Gene Therapy Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: An Open Label Study
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy MicroRNAs: Important Epigenetic Regulators in Osteoarthritis
Current Genomics Surgical Staging for Cervical Cancer
Current Women`s Health Reviews Radioprotective Gene Therapy
Current Gene Therapy Advancement and Strategies for the Development of Peptide-drug Conjugates: Pharmacokinetic Modulation, Role and Clinical Evidence against Cancer Management
Current Cancer Drug Targets Biological Activity of Carotenoids: Its Implications in Cancer Risk and Prevention
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of the Plants of Genus Flemingia Roxb. et Ait. (Leguminosae)
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Natural Thiazoline-Based Cyclodepsipeptides from Marine Cyanobacteria: Chemistry, Bioefficiency and Clinical Aspects
Current Medicinal Chemistry Repurposing of Metformin for Cancer Therapy: Updated Patent and Literature Review
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Emerging Therapeutic Agents for Cervical Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Induction of GST and Related Events by Dietary Phytochemicals: Sources, Chemistry, and Possible Contribution to Chemoprevention
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Do Not Say Ever Never More: The Ins and Outs of Antiangiogenic Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design