Alder Matthew N, Dames Shale, Gaudet Jeffrey, Mango Susan E
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
RNA. 2003 Jan;9(1):25-32. doi: 10.1261/rna.2650903.
When a cell is exposed to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), mRNA from the homologous gene is selectively degraded by a process called RNA interference (RNAi). Here, we provide evidence that dsRNA is amplified in Caenorhabditis elegans to ensure a robust RNAi response. Our data suggest a model in which mRNA targeted by RNAi functions as a template for 5' to 3' synthesis of new dsRNA (termed transitive RNAi). Strikingly, the effect is nonautonomous: dsRNA targeted to a gene expressed in one cell type can lead to transitive RNAi-mediated silencing of a second gene expressed in a distinct cell type. These data suggest dsRNA synthesized in vivo can mediate systemic RNAi.
当细胞暴露于双链RNA(dsRNA)时,同源基因的mRNA会通过一种称为RNA干扰(RNAi)的过程被选择性降解。在此,我们提供证据表明dsRNA在秀丽隐杆线虫中会被放大,以确保产生强大的RNAi反应。我们的数据提示了一种模型,即被RNAi靶向的mRNA作为新dsRNA 5'至3'合成的模板(称为传递性RNAi)。引人注目的是,这种效应是非自主性的:靶向一种细胞类型中表达基因的dsRNA可导致传递性RNAi介导的另一种在不同细胞类型中表达基因的沉默。这些数据表明体内合成的dsRNA可介导系统性RNAi。