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RNAi Technique in Stem Cell Research: Current Status and Future Perspectives

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RNAi and Small Regulatory RNAs in Stem Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1622))

Abstract

RNAi is a mechanism displayed by most eukaryotic cells to rid themselves of foreign double-strand RNA molecules. In the 18 years since the initial report, RNAi has now been demonstrated to function in mammalian cells to alter gene expression and has been used as a means for genetic discovery as well as a possible strategy for genetic correction and genetic therapy in cancer and other disease. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of how RNAi suppresses gene expression and to examine some published RNAi approaches that have resulted in changes in stem cell function and suggest the possible clinical relevance of this work in cancer therapy through targeting cancer stem cells.

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Abbreviations

AAV:

Adenoviral associated vector

dsRNA:

Double-strand RNA

HSC:

Hematopoietic stem cells

miRNA:

Micro RNA

PGC:

Primordial germ cell

PKR:

dsRNA-dependent protein kinase

RISC:

siRNA-induced silencing complex

RNAi:

RNA interference

shRNA:

Small hairpin RNA

siRNA:

Small interfering RNA

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported by NIH grant CA84405 and the Spastic Paralysis Foundation of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa Division Kiwanis International, and Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (Grant No. 11ZR1434800 to G.M.Z.). We are grateful for Dr. Janet Rowley in University of Chicago, Drs. Mervin Yoder and Mark Kelley in Indiana University for collaboration and support in these works.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang University, 17 Yong Wai Zheng Street, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, 330006, China

    Gang-Ming Zou

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  1. Gang-Ming Zou
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Correspondence to Gang-Ming Zou .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA

    Baohong Zhang

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Zou, GM. (2017). RNAi Technique in Stem Cell Research: Current Status and Future Perspectives. In: Zhang, B. (eds) RNAi and Small Regulatory RNAs in Stem Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1622. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7108-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7108-4_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7106-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7108-4

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