RNAi: An emerging field of molecular research

Mohammad Humayun Kabir, Syed Abdul Qadir, Sedky Aly Hassan, Juhee Ahn, Myeong Hyeon Wang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

RNA silencing, named as co-suppression or post transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) was found in transgenic plants which was the result of cellular mRNA degradation and silencing of gene expression. RNA interference (RNAi) is a specific technique using only a few double stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules to stop the expression which has made it one of the important areas in molecular biology. By introducing a gene into the host genome which is highly homologous to an endogenous gene, the RNA silencing is initiated. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is cut by the enzyme "Dicer" producing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) which combine with RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). RISC, a protein complex, binds one strand of siRNA with mRNA of native target gene for destruction, resulting in gene silencing. The mechanism of RNAi offers a quick and easy way to determine the function of a gene. In this review, we discuss the history, components, mechanism and the application of RNA interference.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4784-4788
Number of pages5
JournalAfrican Journal of Biotechnology
Volume7
Issue number25
Publication statusPublished - Dec 29 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dicer
  • Dsrna
  • Gene silencing
  • RISC
  • Rnai

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Agronomy and Crop Science

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