title: RNAi: running interference for the cell.
abstract: RNA interference or RNAi is a recently characterized mechanism of eukaryotic gene regulation in which a short sequence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specifically down-regulates expression of the associated gene. Preliminary characterization of this phenomenon has revealed a set of inter-related cellular pathways which appear to represent both a response to foreign RNA and a mechanism of endogenous gene regulation. Introduction of dsRNA into cells by a variety of means, including transfection of synthetic RNA duplexes, triggers the RNAi response resulting in specific suppression of target gene expression. Recent efforts on a genome wide scale have involved application of RNAi as an important new tool in cell biology to elucidate gene function in living cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaT6G 2H7.
authors.forename: Oliver A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: MacMillan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering