Advertisement

If you have an ACS member number, please enter it here so we can link this account to your membership. (optional)

ACS values your privacy. By submitting your information, you are gaining access to C&EN and subscribing to our weekly newsletter. We use the information you provide to make your reading experience better, and we will never sell your data to third party members.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCES TO C&EN

Biological Chemistry

Dumbbell-Shaped RNA Silences Genes

November 26, 2007 | A version of this story appeared in Volume 85, Issue 48

RNA molecules shaped like dumbbells can be used to trigger the gene-silencing phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi), according to a new report (J. Am. Chem. Soc., DOI: 10.1021/ja0754453). Yoshihiro Ito, Hiroshi Abe, and Naoko Abe at the Japanese research institute RIKEN synthesized RNA molecules consisting of a double-stranded stem ranging from 15 to 27 base pairs in length that is capped with loops at both ends. Nucleotides in small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are often modified to make them resistant to nucleic acid-degrading enzymes called nucleases, but the Japanese researchers used unmodified nucleotides. The loops nevertheless make the RNA dumbbells resistant to nuclease degradation. The dumbbell RNAs were cleaved by the Dicer enzyme to release the double-stranded RNA that activates RNAi pathways. By using RNA dumbbells with stem regions that match the firefly luciferase gene, the researchers found that the dumbbells silence luciferase expression more effectively and for a longer time than do corresponding linear siRNAs.

Article:

This article has been sent to the following recipient:

0 /1 FREE ARTICLES LEFT THIS MONTH Remaining
Chemistry matters. Join us to get the news you need.