title: Engineering novel traits in plants through RNA interference.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a homology-dependent gene silencing technology that involves double-stranded RNA directed against a target gene or its promoter region. Using hairpin constructs, double-stranded RNA can be expressed in plants relatively easily, enabling this technology to be applied to a wide range of species to silence the expression of both specific endogenous genes and genes of invading pathogens. RNAi has also been used to engineer metabolic pathways to overproduce secondary products with health, yield or environmental benefits. The application of tissue-specific or inducible gene silencing, with the use of appropriate promoters, and the ability to silence several genes simultaneously should enhance our ability to create novel traits in plants.
authors.affiliation: Plant Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), PO Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan. smansoor@nibge.org
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mansoor
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: Mazhar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.forename: Rob W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Briddon
mesh_terms: D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference