title: [Role of double-stranded RNA in eukaryotic gene silencing].
abstract: Data on RNA interference, that is, posttranscriptional gene silencing by homologous double-stranded (ds) RNA, are reviewed. Gene silencing caused by exogenous dsRNA in artificial systems and observed in transgenic organisms carrying additional gene copies is considered. Data are summarized on the mechanism that arose during evolution of the Drosophila melanogaster genome to suppress repetitive genes with the use of dsRNA and thereby to prevent male sterility. The role of dsRNA in inhibiting expression and transposition of mobile elements is discussed on the basis of authors own and published findings.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 123182 Russia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Aravin
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Klenov
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Vagin
authors.forename: Ia M
authors.initials: IaM
authors.lastname: Rozovskiĭ
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Gvozdev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000502:physiology*; D013489:Suppression, Genetic
chemical_list: D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded