Journal of RNAi and Gene Silencing (February 2006), 2(1), 118-125

Review

Manipulating and enhancing the RNAi response

Peter I Joyce, Joseph M Gallagher and Patricia E Kuwabara*

ABSTRACT

The phenomenon that is known as RNA mediated interference (RNAi) was first observed in the nematode C. elegans. The application of RNAi has now been widely disseminated and the mechanisms underlying the pathway have been uncovered using both genetics and biochemistry. In the worm, it has been demonstrated that RNAi is easily adapted to high throughput analysis and screening protocols. Hence, given the availability of whole genome sequences, RNAi has been used extensively as a tool for annotating gene function. Genetic screens performed with C. elegans have also led to the identification of genes that are essential for RNAi or that modulate the RNAi process. The identification of such genes has made it possible to manipulate and enhance the RNAi response. Moreover, many of the genes identified in C. elegans have been conserved in other organisms. Thus, opportunities are available for researchers to take advantage of the insights gained from the worm and apply them to their own systems in order to improve the efficiency and potency of the RNAi response.

KEYWORDS: C. elegans, RdRP, RNA interference, siRNA, systemic RNAi

Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.

*Correspondence to: Patricia E Kuwabara, Email: P.Kuwabara@bristol.ac.uk, Tel: + 44 117 3317275, Fax: + 44 117 9288274

© Copyright Peter I Joyce et al

(Received 20 December 2005; Accepted 03 January 2006)