title: Applications of RNA interference in mammalian systems.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) can mediate the long- or short-term silencing of gene expression at the DNA, RNA, and/or protein level. Although several triggers of RNAi have been identified, the best characterized of these are small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which can decrease gene expression through mRNA transcript cleavage, and endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs), which primarily inhibit protein translation. An improved understanding of RNAi has provided new, powerful tools for conducting functional studies in a gene-specific manner. In various applications, RNAi has been used to create model systems, to identify novel molecular targets, to study gene function in a genome-wide fashion, and to create new avenues for clinical therapeutics. Here, we review many of the ongoing applications of RNAi in mammalian and human systems, and discuss how advances in our knowledge of the RNAi machinery have enhanced the use of these technologies.
authors.affiliation: Gene Silencing Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. martinsc@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Natasha J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Caplen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001483:Base Sequence / Q000502:physiology; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics*; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D009928:Organ Specificity; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering