Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2013, Vol. 0 ›› Issue (6): 63-69.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mechanism of RNA Interference and Its Application in Animal Disease Research

Fan Lu1, 2 Fan Jianming3 Zhang Gaiping1 Wang Aiping2   

  1. (1. Key Laboratory of Animal Immunology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002;2. Department of Bioengineering Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001;3. School of Public Health Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001)
  • Received:2012-12-31 Revised:2013-06-20 Online:2013-06-20 Published:2013-06-20

Abstract: RNA interference(RNAi)is a sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism in eukaryotes, which is believed to function as a defence against viruses and transposons. Since it is discovered, RNAi has been developed into an useful tool for studying gene function, it has great advantage over traditional vaccine and therapy in preventing animal diseases. Additionally, introduction of virus-specific small interfering RNA(siRNA)or short hairpin RNA(shRNA)into cells, thus programming the RNAi machinery to target viruses, is an effective therapeutic approach to inhibit virus replication in vitro and in animal models. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of RNAi and its application in animal diseases.

Key words: RNAi, siRNA, shRNA, Mechanism, Animal diseases