RNA interference in neuroscience

Abstract

One of the most exciting findings in recent years has been the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi is an important system that allows sequence-specific gene silencing through targeted degradation of mRNA by cognate double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). RNAi plays a role in endogenous cellular processes, such as developmental control and heterochromatin formation, and serves as an antiviral defense mechanism. Recent findings suggest that RNAi and related pathways are involved in protecting the genome against instabilities caused by transposons and repetitive sequences. Several rapidly developing RNAi methodologies provide a new approach for elucidation of gene functions. RNAi technology is also currently being evaluated as a potentially useful method to develop highly specific dsRNA-based gene-silencing therapeutics. In this paper, we review the use of RNAi in neuroscience research and as a possible therapeutic tool for treatment of neurological diseases.