Dissecting RNA-Interference Pathway with Small Molecules

Targeting Th17 Cells with Small Molecules and Small Interference RNA

T helper 17 (Th17) cells play a central role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases via the production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin- (IL-) 17, IL-17F, and IL-22. Anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies show potent efficacy in psoriasis but poor effect in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease. Alternative agents targeting Th17 cells may be a better way to inhibit the development an...

Targeting RNA with small molecules.

5.1. Binding Sites of the Aminoglycosides 1185 5.2. Importance of Electrostatic Interactions 1185 5.3. Nonionic Interactions 1185 5.4. Pseudo-Base Pair Interactions 1186 5.5. Water-Mediated Contacts 1186 5.6. Shape Complementarity and Conformational Adaptation 1186 6. Assays for Evaluating RNA Binding 1186 6.1. Methods Utilizing Fluorescently Labeled RNA 1186 6.2. NMR-Based Methods 1187 6.3. El...

INTERACTION OF PROTEINS WITH SMALL MOLECULES

Guiding bacteria with small molecules and RNA.

Chemotactic bacteria navigate their chemical environment by coupling sophisticated information processing capabilities to molecular motors that propel the cells forward. The ability to reprogram bacteria to follow entirely new chemical signals would create powerful new opportunities in bioremediation, bionanotechnology, and synthetic biology. However, the complexities of bacterial signaling and...

RNA interference: It's a small RNA world

Short RNAs regulate gene expression in many species. Some are generated from any double-stranded RNA and degrade complementary RNAs; others are encoded by genes and repress specific mRNAs. Both, it turns out, are processed and handled by similar proteins. These pathways offer a glimpse into a world of small RNAs.