The long processes of short interfering RNAs--RNA interference and its implications in neuronal cells.
Reverse genetics has been greatly advanced by the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi). This intracellular RNA-mediated gene silencing pathway is partially conserved from plants to mammals and offers a new powerful tool for the analysis of gene function. We give a brief overview of the discovery of RNAi, the underlying mechanisms and probable intrinsic roles of the pathway. Recent reports utilizing RNAi for gene silencing approaches in neuronal cells are reviewed and possible delivery techniques for small interfering RNA/double-stranded RNA are discussed.
Lingor
Paul
P
S2-Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. plingor@gwdg.de
Michel
Uwe
U
Bähr
Mathias
M
D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering