利用RNAi技术大规模分析基因功能的研究

Large Scale Functional Genetic Analysis with RNAi

将双链RNA导入细胞内会干扰与之同源的基因的表达 ,使生物体产生相应的功能缺陷表型 ,这种作用称为RNAi(RNAinterference)。针对人类、植物、微生物等大规模基因组测序后所面临的功能鉴定难题 ,着重探讨了RNAi的机制及其研究进展。复合物RISC和酶Dicer的发现揭示了RNAi导致同源基因沉默的作用机理。通过使用RNAi这种反向遗传学工具可使生物体产生相应的功能缺陷表型 ,从而确定未知基因的功能。因此RNAi对大规模分析动、植物基因功能的研究具有重要的作用。

The introduction of dsRNA into cells can interfere with the expression of an endogenous gene homologous to the dsRNA, which results in the loss_of_function phenotype .This response is called RNA interference (RNAi ). Genome sequencing projects generate a wealth of information , however, the ultimate goal of such projects is to accelerate the identification of biological function of genes. This creates a need to fill the gap between sequence and function . Here we summarized the mechanism of RNAi and its application. The mechanism of RNAi has been brought to light by the identification of RISC complex and an enzyme named Dicer. As a reverse genetic tool , RNAi can be used to isolate loss_of_function or reduction_of_function mutants and to identify the biological function of genes . Therefore, RNAi can be applied for functional genomic analysis of animals and plants on a large scale.