Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) represent a new class of antigene agents, which has emerged as a powerful tool for functional genomics and might serve as a potent therapeutic approach. However, several studies have showed that they could trigger several bystander effects, including immune activation and inhibition of unintended target genes. Although activation of innate immunity by siRNAs migh...

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...

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...

In the December 5th issue of Molecular Cell, Preuss et al. (2008) demonstrated a link between small interfering RNA (siRNA)-directed de novo DNA methylation and rDNA silencing in nucleolar dominance.

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 ...

BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in RNA interference in pain research using the intrathecal route to deliver small-interfering RNA (siRNA). An interferon (IFN) response is a common side-effect of siRNA. However, the IFN response in the spinal cord after intrathecal administration of siRNA remains unknown. We hypothesized that high doses of siRNAs can elicit off-target analgesia via relea...

The induction efficiency of maize embryonic callus is highly dependent on the genotype, and only a few lines possess a high capacity for callus formation. Although certain genes and pathways have been reported to contribute to the regulation of callus induction, to the best of our knowledge, the functions of the small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) involved in this process remain unknown. In this st...