Abstract

A REVIEW ON RNA INTERFERENCE [RNA I] TECHNOLOGY: A SIGNIFICANT GENE REGULATORY TOOL WITH ALARMING POTENTIAL IN SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS

Vyshnavi V. Rao* and Bhavana J.

ABSTRACT

RNA interference is a post-transcriptional gene silencing biotechnology tool. It is defined as endogenously induced gene silencing by miRNAs as well as gene silencing triggered by foreign dsRNA. It is also be defined as an RNA guided gene regulation pathway. RNAi has already been used as an effective gene knockdown tool. It is efficiently used to down regulate genes which are overexpressed in a disordered condition. Though it is widely accepted, RNAi possess certain limitations with respect to their non-specific effects and delivery into the mammalian cells. The use of high through put screening in RNAi genome scale research has been used to identify the genetic composition of certain phenotypes. This dsRNA mediated gene silencing system has facilitated the improvement of medical therapies and several biotechnological applications. Though RNAi as a technique is not yet full-fledged, it is a tool of volcanic potential in scientific community.

Keywords: RNA interference, post-transcriptional gene silencing, Si-RNA, mi-RNA.