Gene silencing in chick embryos with a vector-based small interfering RNA system

In this paper, the use of vector-based RNA interference (RNAi) to specifically interfere with gene expression in chick embryos is reported. In ovo electroporation was carried out to transfer a small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression vector into chick embryos. En2 was chosen for the target gene because the family gene, En1, is expressed in a similar pattern. Four sets of 19-mer sequences were designed with the En2 open reading frame region connected to a sequence of short hairpin RNA (shRNA), which exerts siRNA effects after being transcribed, and inserted into pSilencer U6-1.0 vector. En2 and En1 expression were suppressed by the siRNA whose sequence completely matched En2 and En1. Suppression occurred when the siRNA sequence differed by up to two nucleotides from the target sequence. The sequence that differed by four nucleotides from the target gene did not show siRNA effects. One set that completely matched the En2 target did not show siRNA effects, which may be due to location of the siRNA in the target gene. Thus, multiple sets of shRNA must be prepared if we are to consider. This system will greatly contribute to the analysis of function of genes of interest, because the target gene can be silenced in a locally and temporally desired manner.     

Geminivirus-based vectors for gene silencing in Arabidopsis

Gene silencing, or RNA interference, is a powerful tool for elucidating gene function in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. The vast genetic, developmental and sequence information available for Arabidopsis thaliana makes this an attractive organism in which to develop reliable gene-silencing tools for the plant world. We have developed a system based on the bipartite geminivirus cabbage leaf curl virus (CbLCV) that allows silencing of endogenous genes singly or in combinations in Arabidopsis. Two vectors were tested: a gene-replacement vector derived from the A component; and an insertion vector derived from the B component. Extensive silencing was produced in new growth from the A component vectors, while only minimal silencing and symptoms were seen in the B component vector. Two endogenous genes were silenced simultaneously from the A component vector and silencing of the genes was maintained throughout new growth. Because the CbLCV vectors are DNA vectors they can be inoculated directly from plasmid DNA. Introduction of these vectors into intact plants bypasses transformation and extends the kinds of silencing studies that can be carried out in Arabidopsis.     

An overview of C. Elegans trafficking mutants

It is almost 40 years since Sydney Brenner introduced Caenorhabditis elegans as a model genetic system. During that time mutants with defects in intracellular trafficking have been identified in a diverse range of screens for abnormalities. This should, of course, come as no surprise as it is hard to imagine any biological process in which the regulated movement of vesicles within the cells is not critical at some step. Almost all of these genes have mammalian homologs, and yet the role of many of these homologs has not been investigated. Perhaps the protein that regulates your favorite trafficking step has already been identified in C. elegans? Here I provide a brief overview of those trafficking mutants identified in C. elegans and where you can read more about them.     

利用RNAi技术大规模分析基因功能的研究

将双链RNA导入细胞内会干扰与之同源的基因的表达 ,使生物体产生相应的功能缺陷表型 ,这种作用称为RNAi(RNAinterference)。针对人类、植物、微生物等大规模基因组测序后所面临的功能鉴定难题 ,着重探讨了RNAi的机制及其研究进展。复合物RISC和酶Dicer的发现揭示了RNAi导致同源基因沉默的作用机理。通过使用RNAi这种反向遗传学工具可使生物体产生相应的功能缺陷表型 ,从而确定未知基因的功能。因此RNAi对大规模分析动、植物基因功能的研究具有重要的作用。     

多靶向RNA干扰技术在基因治疗中的应用与前景

RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)通过转录后基因沉默效应特异性抑制靶基因的表达,其沉默机制的高效性、特异性及稳定性使这项技术成为生物医学领域研究基因治疗的重要工具。阐述RNAi技术的特点和RNAi疗法的现状,特别是多靶小干扰RNA(small interference RNA,siRNA)目前的发展态势及其各种结构性修饰,通过使用这些结构修饰的siRNA提高基因沉默的效率,将有助于提高疗效。但该技术在广泛应用于临床之前,仍存在一些亟待解决的问题与面临的挑战,需进一步研究。     

应用siRNA干扰胃癌的研究进展

胃癌是消化系统最常见的恶性肿瘤,而我国是胃癌高发区,其发病率和死亡率均高于世界平均水平。在我国大多数患者明确诊断时已进入进展期,所以大多数患者再行手术切除后还需放化疗治疗。近来随着对胃癌的研究深入,可通过对胃癌肿瘤标本行分子检测给予患者药物靶向治疗,实现个体化治疗。RNA干涉(RNAi)技术被广泛用于基因功能的研究,并且在哺乳动物研究中得到飞速发展.si RNA是在RNAi中起中心作用,其可抑制特定m RNA,以调节不同蛋白在肿瘤发生时的异常表达。对si RNA的研究将为胃癌的基因治疗供更广阔的空间。