Gene silencing: shrinking the black box of RNAi.
The mysterious mechanism whereby the mere presence of double-stranded RNA can inactivate specific genes is yielding its secrets. Recent results identifying cellular components required for RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans indicate that the mechanism is conserved, ancient and may provide a defense against selfish DNA.
Hunter
C P
CP
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. hunter@mcb.harvard.edu.
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D020868:Gene Silencing; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000502:physiology; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000502:physiology
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D018510:RNA, Helminth; C122185:rde-1 protein, C elegans