RNA interference: traveling in the cell and gaining functions?
Double-stranded RNA can induce the degradation of homologous RNAs in organisms as diverse as protozoa, animals, plants and fungi, resulting in post-transcriptional gene silencing. But in some species, RNA-mediated processes can also lead to translational repression, DNA methylation, heterochromatin formation or DNA elimination. In some situations, amplification of the 'trigger' double-stranded RNA seems to be required for efficient silencing. These findings imply that RNA-mediated mechanisms can control gene expression at both the transcriptional and the post-transcriptional level, and that they can operate in the nuclear and the cytoplasmic compartments.
Cerutti
Heriberto
H
School of Biological Sciences and Plant Science Initiative, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, E211 Beadle Center, Post Office Box 880666, Lincoln, NE 68588-0666, USA. hcerutti1@unl.edu
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference
D035683:MicroRNAs