RNA-mediated gene regulation system: now and the future (Review).
The discovery of RNA-mediated gene regulation system has brought human beings another big surprise on the wisdom and power of nature. Nature can not only create genetic codes with 4 nucleotides and produce proteins with 21 amino acids, but also control their intermediates, mRNAs, with double-stranded RNA molecules composed of approximately 22 nt. It has been clear that approximately 22 nt dsRNAs can specifically and efficiently modulate gene expression through sequence-specific targeting thus silencing of RNA. This system promises to be an excellent model for the identification of gene functions and the exploitation of gene expression and phenotype alteration, and a promising way for the prevention and treatment of human diseases.
Yin
James Q
JQ
Harvard-MIT, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. jamesyin@mit.edu
Wan
Yinsheng
Y
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*