title: Inhibition of gene expression by RNase P.
abstract: The ability to interfere with gene expression is of crucial importance to unravel the function of genes and is also a promising therapeutic strategy. Here we discuss methodologies for inhibition of target RNAs based on the cleavage activity of the essential enzyme, Ribonuclease P (RNase P). RNase P-mediated cleavage of target RNAs can be directed by external guide sequences (EGSs) or by the use of the catalytic M1 RNA from E. coli linked to a guide sequence (M1GSs). These are not only basic tools for functional genetic studies in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells but also promising antibacterial, anticancer and antiviral agents.
authors.affiliation: Reference Centre for Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway. ewl000@uit.no
authors.forename: Eirik Wasmuth
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Lundblad
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043262:Ribonuclease P / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D043262:Ribonuclease P