title: RNA modulators of complex phenotypes in mammalian cells.
abstract: RNA-mediated gene silencing, in the form of RNA interference (RNAi) or microRNAs (miRNAs) has provided novel tools for gene discovery and validation in mammalian cells. Here, we report on the construction and application of a random small RNA expression library for use in identifying small interfering RNA (siRNA) effectors that can modify complex cellular phenotypes in mammalian cells. The library is based in a retroviral vector and uses convergent promoters to produce unique small complementary RNAs. Using this library, we identify a range of small RNA-encoding gene inserts that overcome resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)- or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)- induced cell death in colorectal cancer cells. We demonstrate the utility of this technology platform by identifying a key RNA effector, in the form of a siRNA, which overcomes cell death induced by the chemotherapeutic 5-FU. The technology described has the potential to identify both functional RNA modulators capable of altering physiological systems and the cellular target genes altered by these modulators.
authors.affiliation: Johnson and Johnson Research Pty Ltd, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Murray J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cairns
authors.forename: Nham
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Hong-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: Greg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Arndt
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D015723:Gene Library; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018075:RNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D018075:RNA, Complementary; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D012320:RNA Polymerase III; D005472:Fluorouracil