RNA interference and its promising future]

RNA interference(RNAi) is the process of sequence-specific,post-transcriptional gene silencing initiated by double-stranded RNA(dsRNA). Recent studies showed small interfering RNAs (siRNA) generated by Dicer from longer dsRNA specifically suppressed expression of genes in somatic and embryo cells. An RdRP activity might provide amplification by replication of long trigger dsRNAs or copying of short siRNAs in a primer-independent manner. The siRNA primed RdRP reaction converts target mRNA into dsRNA, as well as possibly replicating trigger dsRNA. Both products then serve as DICER substrates, initiating the RdRP chain reaction. The article reviewed possible mechanisms of RNAi and pointed out the promising future of RNAi as a tool for studying gene function and used in gene-specific therapeutics.