RNA interference in Trypanosoma brucei: a high-throughput engine for functional genomics in trypanosomatids?
RNA interference (RNAi) is the technique of choice for down-regulating the gene function of suitable genes in African trypanosomes. A recent report by Subramanian and co-workers describes a high-throughput method for gene function discovery using RNAi in Trypanosoma brucei. The phenotype of most of the Open Reading Frames from chromosome 1 of T. brucei was analysed using a battery test of standard protocols. The authors propose that this technique could be used to mine the full genome of T. brucei and to reveal the core proteomic map of the other two major trypanosomatids, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major, despite the lack of a homologous mechanism of genetic silencing.
Balaña-Fouce
Rafael
R
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (INTOXCAL), University of León, Campus de Vegazaza s/n, 24071 León, Spain. dftrbf@unileon.es
Reguera
Rosa M
RM
D000818:Animals; D020868:Gene Silencing; D017125:Genes, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D034622:RNA Interference; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics*
D016053:RNA, Protozoan