title: A species of small antisense RNA in posttranscriptional gene silencing in plants.
abstract: Posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a nucleotide sequence-specific defense mechanism that can target both cellular and viral mRNAs. Here, three types of transgene-induced PTGS and one example of virus-induced PTGS were analyzed in plants. In each case, antisense RNA complementary to the targeted mRNA was detected. These RNA molecules were of a uniform length, estimated at 25 nucleotides, and their accumulation required either transgene sense transcription or RNA virus replication. Thus, the 25-nucleotide antisense RNA is likely synthesized from an RNA template and may represent the specificity determinant of PTGS.
authors.affiliation: Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Baulcombe
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D017863:Potexvirus / Q000235:genetics; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018749:RNA, Plant; D012367:RNA, Viral; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; C059460:1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase