BIONEXUS
offers Next Generation of High-Throughput, Custom siRNA Synthesis Services
RNA interference (RNAi) is a phenomenon in which small double-stranded RNA
(referred to as small interference RNA or siRNA) knocks down the expression
of its corresponding gene. RNAi has been observed in the plants, C. elegans and
Drosophila, for a number of years. It was only until recently that RNAi was
found to work in mammalian systems.
Small interference RNA (siRNA) is 19-22 nt double-stranded RNA that works by
cleaving and destroying its cognate RNA. siRNA first assembles into RNA-induced
silencing complexes (RISCs), and activates the complex by unwinding its
RNA strands. The unwound RNA strands subsequently guide the complex to the
complementary RNA molecules, where the complex cleaves and destroys the cognate
RNA, thus resulting in the RNAi phenomenon.
RNAi is a powerful tool to study gene function in multiple ways:
A stable cell line with a specific gene knocked-out can be established. Its phenotype can be studied.
A knock-out mouse line can be established using transgenic siRNA method.
siRNA can be put into a vector with an inducible promoter to study its effect.
siRNA can be delivered by using viral vector and used for gene therapy purpose.
siRNA can be mimicked by chemical molecule and used for drug development.