RNA interference (RNAi) is a specific and powerful tool used to manipulate gene expression and study gene function. The cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) can metabolize more than 50% of drugs. In the present study, we investigated whether vector-expressed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) altered the CYP3A4 expression and function using the Chinese hamster cell line (V79) overexpressing CYP3A4 (CHL-3A...

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has proved to be a powerful tool for target-specific gene silencing via RNA interference (RNAi). Its ability to control targeted gene expression gives new hope to gene therapy as a treatment for cancers and genetic diseases. However, siRNA shows poor pharmacological properties, such as low serum stability, off-targeting, and innate immune responses, which present a...

Three of the primary requirements for the development of effective dual-targeting therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cancer are the tumor-targeted delivery of the therapeutic molecules of interest to the tumor site(s) in the body (both primary and metastatic), passage of the molecular therapeutic through the cell membrane, and targeting specifically a growth or apoptotic pathway. Howev...

It has been reviewed that as many as hundreds genes are dysregulated in various kinds of cancers, yet most therapies are targeted toward a single gene. Recently, the mode of cancer treatment has been changed by a shift in thinking from mono-target to multi-target therapies. There is considerable evidence that these have a higher possibility of success than mono-target therapy, and multi-target ...

Introduction of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into a cell can cause a specific interference of gene expression known as RNA interference (RNAi). However, RNAi activity in lymphocytes and in normal primary mammalian cells has not been thoroughly demonstrated. In this report, we show that siRNAs complementary to CD4 and CD8alpha specifically reduce surface expression of these coreceptors and th...

Peste-des-petits-ruminants virus (PPRV) and rinderpest virus (RPV) are two morbilliviruses of economic relevance in African and Asian countries. Although efficient vaccines are available for both diseases, they cannot protect the animals before 14 days post-vaccination. In emergencies, it would be desirable to have efficient therapeutics for virus control. Here, two regions are described in the...

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA silence genes at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and/or translational level. Using human tissue culture cells, we show that promoter-directed siRNA inhibits transcription of an integrated, proviral, elongation factor 1alpha (EF1A) promoter-green fluorescent protein reporter gene and of endogenous EF1A. Silencing was associated with DNA methyl...

RNA interference is an evolutionarily conserved process in which recognition of double-stranded RNA ultimately leads to posttranscriptional suppression of gene expression. This suppression is mediated by short (21- to 22-nt) small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which induce degradation of mRNA based on complementary base pairing. The silencing of gene expression by siRNAs is emerging rapidly as a p...

MOTIVATION Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are produced from much longer sequences of double-stranded RNA precursors through cleavage by Dicer or a Dicer-like protein. These small RNAs play a key role in genetic and epigenetic regulation; however, a full understanding of the mechanisms by which they operate depends on the characterization of the precursors from which they are derived. RESULTS...