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RNA interference: potential therapeutic targets

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Abstract

One of the most exciting findings in recent years has been the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi methodologies hold the promise to selectively inhibit gene expression in mammals. RNAi is an innate cellular process activated when a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule of greater than 19 duplex nucleotides enters the cell, causing the degradation of not only the invading dsRNA molecule, but also single-stranded (ssRNAs) RNAs of identical sequences, including endogenous mRNAs. The use of RNAi for genetic-based therapies has been widely studied, especially in viral infections, cancers, and inherited genetic disorders. As such, RNAi technology is a potentially useful method to develop highly specific dsRNA-based gene-silencing therapeutics.

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  1. Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology—Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India

    S. Jana, S. Nandi & J. K. Deb

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Applied medicines and research, 9th Mile Stone, Delhi–Meerut Road, Duhai, Ghaziabad, India

    C. Chakraborty

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  1. S. Jana
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Correspondence to C. Chakraborty.

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Jana, S., Chakraborty, C., Nandi, S. et al. RNA interference: potential therapeutic targets. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 65, 649–657 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1732-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-004-1732-1

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