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miRNA antisense molecules

Antisense molecules are those that interact with specific complementary strands of nucleic acids, modifying the expression of genes or of RNA. In miRNA antisense molecules, these substances prevent miRNA from being expressed, in effect completely or partially blocking its action.

miRNA is as yet incompletely understood, having been identified for only a little more than a decade; yet in recent research, this small regulatory RNA strand is being appreciated. Though it is very short compared to most other forms of genetic material, it can function as a regulator of multiple genes. With the hundreds of miRNA present in any organism, this can vastly multiplies the way genes may be expressed.

Antisense miRNA molecules, then, can be used to block miRNA, and thus to determine which genes a faulty miRNA molecule may be regulating. There are thousands of applications for this in the very complex genetic research field, including cancer treatments that may be developed and some treatments for genetically linked disease. We have only begun to learn about miRNA; there are decades of work before us before it begins to make sense in the context of genetic research.

Web Resources On miRNA antisense molecules

Precursor miRNAs for Successful miRNA Functional Studies
Antisense inhibition of human miRNAs

Book Resources On miRNA antisense molecules

Applied Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology by Stein & Krieg (Eds)
Antisense Nucleic Acids and Proteins by MOL

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