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Short Hairpin RNA-Mediated Gene Silencing

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siRNA Design

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 942))

Abstract

Since the first application of RNA interference (RNAi) in mammalian cells, the expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) for targeted gene silencing has become a benchmark technology. Using plasmid and viral vectoring systems, the transcription of shRNA precursors that are effectively processed by the RNAi pathway can lead to potent gene knockdown. The past decade has seen continual advancement and improvement to the various strategies that can be used for shRNA delivery, and the use of shRNAs for clinical applications is well underway. Driving these developments has been the many benefits afforded by shRNA technologies, including the stable integration of expression constructs for long-term expression, infection of difficult-to-target cell lines and tissues using viral vectors, and the temporal control of shRNA transcription by inducible promoters. The use of different effector molecule formats, promoters, and vector types, has meant that experiments can be tailored to target specific cell types and minimize cellular toxicities. Through the application of combinatorial RNAi (co-RNAi), multiple shRNA delivery strategies can improve gene knockdown, permit multiple transcripts to be targeted simultaneously, and curtail the emergence of viral escape mutants. This chapter reviews the history, cellular processing, and various applications of shRNAs in mammalian systems, including options for effector molecule design, vector and promoter types, and methods for multiple shRNA delivery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Luke S. Lambeth & Craig A. Smith

  2. Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Armidale, NSW, Australia

    Luke S. Lambeth & Craig A. Smith

  3. Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Craig A. Smith

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  1. Luke S. Lambeth
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  2. Craig A. Smith
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Correspondence to Luke S. Lambeth .

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  1. , Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, West Drive 450, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina, USA

    Debra J. Taxman

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Lambeth, L.S., Smith, C.A. (2013). Short Hairpin RNA-Mediated Gene Silencing. In: Taxman, D. (eds) siRNA Design. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 942. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-119-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-119-6_12

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