The application of siRNA technology to cancer biology discovery.
RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring cellular defense mechanism against viral infections and transposon invasion. Short double-stranded RNA molecules, so-called small-interfering (si)RNAs, bind their complementary mRNA leading to the mRNA's degradation. During the past few years, RNAi has become a valuable tool for transient as well as stable repression of gene expression rendering the time-consuming production of knockout animals superfluous. In this chapter the usability of the RNAi technology in cancer research will be described, focusing on the application of large-scale screens for identification of new components in cancer-relevant signal pathways (e.g., p53, RAS). The screens are especially helpful in the detection of potential anticancer drug targets or siRNAs with therapeutic potential.
Fuchs
Uta
U
Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, München, Germany.
Borkhardt
Arndt
A
D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering