RNA interference in neuroscience: progress and challenges.
1.RNA interference (RNAi) is a recently discovered biological pathway that mediates post-transcriptional gene silencing. The process of RNAi is orchestrated by an increasingly well-understood cellular machinery. 2. The common entry point for both natural and engineered RNAi are double stranded RNA molecules known as short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), that mediate the sequence-specific identification and degradation of the targeted messenger RNA (mRNA). The study and manipulation of these siRNAs has recently revolutionized biomedical research. 3. In this review, we first provide a brief overview of the process of RNAi, focusing on its potential role in brain function and involvement in neurological disease. We then describe the methods developed to manipulate RNAi in the laboratory and its applications to neuroscience. Finally, we focus on the potential therapeutic application of RNAi to neurological disease.
Miller
Victor M
VM
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242-1101, USA.
Paulson
Henry L
HL
Gonzalez-Alegre
Pedro
P
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering