TITLE:
Using Engineered microRNAs as Vectors for Animal RNA Interference: Promises and Challenges
AUTHORS:
Jerry S. Chen, Robert W. Zeller
KEYWORDS:
microRNAs; RNA Interference; RNAi
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.5 No.4,
February
28,
2014
ABSTRACT: microRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators
of gene expression that recruit RNA silencing complexes to target transcripts
to prevent translation and promote their degradation. Experimental studies
suggest that microRNA binding to target transcripts can result in as much as a 90%
decrease in gene expression. Because of this feature, the microRNA pathway has
been utilized as a vehicle for potent RNA interference (RNAi). In recent years,
significant advances have been made in engineering artificial microRNA vectors
for RNAi in a number of biological systems, with the most progress in plants
but also some success in mouse and human cell lines. In this mini-review, we
provide a brief discussion of the potential of this technology in comparison
with other RNAi strategies, and the current challenges in the design of
microRNA-based RNAi vectors, particularly for animal systems.