Small interfering RNA

Small interfering RNA (siRNA), also known as short interfering RNA or silencing RNA, is a class of double-stranded RNA molecules, 20-25 base pairs in length, that play a variety of roles in biology. Most notably, siRNA is involved in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, where it interferes with the expression of specific genes with complementary nucleotide sequences by degrading mRNA after transcription, preventing translation.

History

The discovery of siRNA began with the study of transgenes in plants in the early 1990s. Richard J. Roberts and Phillip A. Sharp won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993 for their discovery of gene splicing, which led to the development of siRNA technology.

Structure and Function

siRNAs are double-stranded RNA molecules with 2-nucleotide 3' overhangs. They are produced from longer dsRNA molecules by the enzyme Dicer, which also helps load them into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Once loaded into RISC, one strand of the siRNA (the guide strand) guides RISC to the complementary mRNA molecule, leading to mRNA cleavage and gene silencing.

Applications

siRNA has potential applications in gene therapy, where it can be used to silence genes that contribute to disease. It is also used in research to knock down genes of interest and study their function.

Challenges and Future Directions

While siRNA holds great promise, there are challenges to its use, including delivery to cells, stability in the bloodstream, and off-target effects. Future research is aimed at overcoming these challenges and realizing the full potential of siRNA in medicine and biology.

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