RNAi
RiboNucleic Acid Interference
What is RNAi? RNAi is a method scientists use to silence genes in many organisms. This helps study the activity of genetic expression, activity of a gene product and possible. It is commonly used in medicinal studies and biotechnological advances [1].
A quick overview of the process of RNAi starts with DNA. DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA, mRNA. mRNA contains the code for another set of RNA's to read and become a protein. However, RNAi interferes here by binding short strands of foreign, complementary short-interfering RNA (siRNA) to the already existing mRNA. After this binding is complete, both RNAs get degraded and no protein is made, halting translation, Figure 1 and 2.
A quick overview of the process of RNAi starts with DNA. DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA, mRNA. mRNA contains the code for another set of RNA's to read and become a protein. However, RNAi interferes here by binding short strands of foreign, complementary short-interfering RNA (siRNA) to the already existing mRNA. After this binding is complete, both RNAs get degraded and no protein is made, halting translation, Figure 1 and 2.
RNAi PROCESS
RNAi & Hdc GENETICS
Few experiments have been done using this procedure on the Hdc gene and protein product. However, the phenotypes available do provide some insight as to the effects of histidine decarboxylase and its role in Tourette syndrome. Future experiments should be conducted using RNAi methods to discover its potential in helping understand Tourette's.
Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit Fly)RNAi in D. melanogaster demonstrate multiple phenotypes [2].
Muscle morphogenesis and function Locomotion, ability to fly, and wing posture. Neural stem cells Smaller size, shorter lineages in ganglion mother cells, neuroblast loss Danio rerio (Zebrafish)RNAi in D. rerio demonstrate multiple phenotypes [4].
Brain Development, regulation of neurotransmitter levels Behavior Response to light stimulus |
Mus musculus (Mouse)RNAi performed in M. musculus demonstrate multiple phenotypes [3].
Cognitive Anxiety-related behavior, pain-related behavior, altered cognitive functions Fat Distribution Increased weight gain, visceral adiposity, increased brown adipose tissue Arabidopsis thaliana (Mustard plant)RNAi in A. thaliana demonstrate multiple phenotypes [5].
Development Flower, vegetative growth, tissue Response Response to salt, response to gamma radiation, response to DNA repair |
ANALYSIS
All of these organisms share significant phenotypes when the Hdc gene is knocked out using RNAi techniques. Tourette syndrome and the Hdc gene link has been recently studied in mice, however, studies in zebrafish should prove to be significant due to the neurotransmitter phenotype. This strongly correlates with the biological characteristics of the disease in humans.
REFERENCES
1 "RNA Interference" Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference
2 "HDC" Genome RNAi. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://www.genomernai.org/genedetails/43604
3 "Hdc" MGI: Mouse Genome Informatics. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://www.informatics.jax.org/marker/MGI:96062
4 "Hdc" ZFIN: Zebrafish Model Organism Database. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://zfin.org/action/marker/view/ZDB-GENE-080102-5
5 "TAIR: Hdc" TAIR: The Arabidopsis Information Resource. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://www.arabidopsis.org/servlets/Search?type=general&search_action=detail&method=1&show_obsolete=F&name=HDC&sub_type=gene&SEARCH_EXACT=4&SEARCH_CONTAINS=1
1 "RNA Interference" Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference
2 "HDC" Genome RNAi. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://www.genomernai.org/genedetails/43604
3 "Hdc" MGI: Mouse Genome Informatics. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://www.informatics.jax.org/marker/MGI:96062
4 "Hdc" ZFIN: Zebrafish Model Organism Database. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://zfin.org/action/marker/view/ZDB-GENE-080102-5
5 "TAIR: Hdc" TAIR: The Arabidopsis Information Resource. Retrieved 26 Apr 2014 http://www.arabidopsis.org/servlets/Search?type=general&search_action=detail&method=1&show_obsolete=F&name=HDC&sub_type=gene&SEARCH_EXACT=4&SEARCH_CONTAINS=1
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Spring 2014 Genetics 564 |
|