RNA interference is a mechanism that inhibits gene expression at the translation stage or hinders gene transcription. It is described by three similar but phenotypically different phenomena: co-suppression in plants, quelling in fungi, and RNA interference in animals. Recent applications of RNA interference include modulating HIV replication, inhibiting HIV, treating hepatitis, intervening in atherosclerosis, and reducing heart and brain damage. RNA interference has diverse therapeutic applications including identifying gene functions, creating genome-wide screens, developing antiviral and anticancer therapies.

1. R N A I N T E R F E R E N C E A N D
I T S A P P L I C AT I O N S
B Y - A K R I T I G A U R A V

2. Overview
1. Introduction
2. Mechanism
3. Recent Application
4. Conclusion

3. Several terms are used to described RNA silencing; usually there are three phenotypically different but
mechanistically similar phenomena:
1. Co-suppression or post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants
2. Quelling in fungi
3. RNA interference in animal kingdom
Introduction

4. Definition
RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism that inhibits gene expression at the stage of translation or by hindering the
transcription of specific genes.

6. Recent applications of RNAi
• Modulation of HIV-1 replication by RNA interference.
• Potent and specific inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by RNA
interference.
• In the treatment of Hepatitis.
• It is used to intervene in the process of atherosclerosis or to reduce damage to heart tissue and brain
cells.

7. • RNAi is a powerful and attractive genetic approach because of the diversity of its applications. The
potential uses currently in progress include the identification of specific gene functions in living systems
and creation of genome wide screens. Development of antiviral and anticancer therapies are broadening
the horizons of the therapeutic arena.
• Another value of RNAi screens is in combining it with other functional genomic assays enabling
mapping of biochemical pathways. Impact of RNAi is also being extended to the field of agriculture for
example by increasing disease resistance in plants.
Conclusions