DNAi - The latest in Interference Technology
RNAi is a technology whose immense potential in controlling the activity of RNA in vivo has been exploited in many areas like medicine, biotechnology and especially in plant research. In a recent paper by Nowak et al (2009), they describe a novel method for inhibition of RNA viruses by dsDNA. This method, which they term as DNA interference technology, works on a mechanism which is analogous to RNA interference. So if it works on the same principle as RNAi, what’s so special about DNAi?
For starters, as of now, it shows great potential in inhibiting RNA viruses, including HIV. The authors of this paper conducted experiments on two viruses – TMV and HIV. They demonstrated that both long dsDNA molecules as well as short interfering DNA which have a sequence complementary to that of viral RNA are able to inhibit viral RNA expression and prevent it from spreading. It has several advantages over RNAi, the most important ones being that dsDNA has higher cellular stability than dsRNA and it costs less to synthesise it, although it does require to be administered in higher doses for effective silencing. Also, further DNA modification is not necessary. With all these advantages, exploitation of this pathway seems to provide an excellent tool for research in biotechnology and medicine.
Sindhu Igoor
41920633
For starters, as of now, it shows great potential in inhibiting RNA viruses, including HIV. The authors of this paper conducted experiments on two viruses – TMV and HIV. They demonstrated that both long dsDNA molecules as well as short interfering DNA which have a sequence complementary to that of viral RNA are able to inhibit viral RNA expression and prevent it from spreading. It has several advantages over RNAi, the most important ones being that dsDNA has higher cellular stability than dsRNA and it costs less to synthesise it, although it does require to be administered in higher doses for effective silencing. Also, further DNA modification is not necessary. With all these advantages, exploitation of this pathway seems to provide an excellent tool for research in biotechnology and medicine.
Sindhu Igoor
41920633
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