RNA interference: a potential therapeutic tool for silencing splice isoforms linked to human diseases.
Alternative splicing of precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs) is one of the most important sources of protein diversity in vertebrates. An estimated 35%-70% of human genes generate transcripts that are alternatively spliced, and defects in this process are linked to numerous human genetic diseases and various forms of cancer. The discovery that 21-23 nucleotide RNA duplexes, known as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), can knockdown the homologous mRNAs in mammalian cells has revolutionized many aspects of drug discovery including down-regulation of disease-associated splicing isoforms. In addition, RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of splicing regulators has the potential to define the complex network of alternative splicing regulation and to analyze gene function. In this review, I first provide a brief introduction to mRNA splicing and its relationship to human diseases. This is followed by a brief overview of RNAi. Finally I discuss the therapeutic potential of RNAi in targeting disease-linked splicing isoforms.
Gaur
Rajesh K
RK
Division of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA. rgaur@bricoh.edu
D000818:Animals; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics*; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*
D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering