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Gene silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans by transitive RNA interference

2003; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; Volume: 9; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1261/rna.2650903

1469-9001

Matthew N. Alder, Shale Dames, Jeffrey P. C. Gaudet, Susan E. Mango,

CRISPR and Genetic Engineering

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.