Specific expression of short-interfering RNA driven by human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter in tumor cells.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to be an effective method for inhibiting the expression of a given gene in human cells by targeting with short duplex RNA (short-interfering RNA or siRNA). However, more and more studies suggest that non-specific effects can be induced by siRNAs, such as off-target inhibition, activation of interferon response, and saturation of cellular silencing machinery. It has been known that more than 90% of human tumors exhibit telomerase activity. Consequently, telomerase is believed to be a broad-spectrum molecular marker of malignancies. In the present study we attempt to develop a tumor-specific RNAi system using the human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter. This system may provide a basis for RNAi therapy.

• Authors: Xuejing Luan, Limin Guo, Zuozhen Yang, Min Liu, Xin Li, Hua Tang
• Journal: Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica (Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai)) Vol. 40 Issue 11 Pg. 928-33 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 1745-7270 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 18989573 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA Primers
• RNA, Small Interfering
• Telomerase

Topics

• Base Sequence
• Cell Line
• Cell Line, Tumor
• DNA Primers
• Genes, Reporter
• Humans
• Promoter Regions, Genetic
• RNA Interference
• RNA, Small Interfering (genetics)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Telomerase (genetics)