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siRNA

siRNA, or Small Interfering RNA, are 20-25 nucleotide long RNA molecules that play several roles in biology. In the RNA interference pathway (RNAi), siRNA interferes with the expression of specific genes. Some siRNAs play other roles in RNAi related pathways, for instance as antiviral mechanisms or shaping chromatin structures. Synthetic siRNA can induce RNAi in mammalian cells, and has led to a whole world of possibilities for its application in biomedical research and the developments of novel or personalized drugs.

Each siRNA strand has a 5' phosphate group and a 3' hydroxyl group, and can be introduced exogenously into cells to knockdown genes of interest. These specific molecular properties allow it to bond with RNA and eliminate its action permanently or semipermanently. Unfortunately, sometimes experimental introduction of siRNA can knock down the wrong cellular feature, so it involves a lot of trial and error. It also may be mistaken for a virus, causing an immune system response.

Still, the unique features of siRNA may enable biologists one day to eliminate the action of specific genes that cause very specific diseases or are the precursors of proteins that do. It has already been used experimentally to prevent macular degeneration, a single-gene disorder.

Web Resources On siRNA

siRNA in Bioscience Research
siRNA sequence finder

Book Resources On siRNA

RNA Interference (RNAi): The Nuts & Bolts of siRNA Technology by David Engelke
Rnai: A Guide to Gene Silencing by Gregory J. Hannon (Ed)

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