RNA-mediated gene regulation system: Now and the future (Review)
- Authors:
- Published online on: October 1, 2002 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.10.4.355
- Pages: 355-365
Metrics: Total
Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Abstract
The discovery of RNA-mediated gene regulation system has brought human beings another big surprise on the wisdom and power of nature. Nature can not only create genetic codes with 4 nucleotides and produce proteins with 21 amino acids, but also control their intermediates, mRNAs, with double-stranded RNA molecules composed of ≈22 nt. It has been clear that ≈22 nt dsRNAs can specifically and efficiently modulate gene expression through sequence-specific targeting thus silencing of RNA. This system promises to be an excellent model for the identification of gene functions and the exploitation of gene expression and phenotype alteration, and a promising way for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.