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.

Related Articles