What is Antisense RNA?

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule that is integral to all forms of life. DNA genomes create copies of their genes in RNA format. The organism reads these accurate copies that make "meaning" and form the right proteins. Antisense RNA is a sequence that is the opposite of the "sensory" RNA, and by sticking to the "sensory" RNA, it can block the correct formation of proteins. Antisense RNA, although it does not happen in nature, has applications in science areas such as medicine and genetically modified organisms.

The regular process of protein production begins by copying the DNA of a particular gene to Messenger RNA (MRNA). The whole MRNA is one -off. Ribosomes and transmission RNA (thorn) then read the MRNA and create protein gene codes for.

MRNA sequence is necessary for the production of true protein. In addition, thorn and ribosomes read only individual sources, not double sources. Antisense RNA is the only partyand in itself, but has a sequence of bases that complement the sequence of bases in specificé mrna.

Uracil (U), adenin (a), cytosine (C) and guanine (g) form various RNA bases. Uracil binds to Adenin and cytosine binds to guanine. For example, a part of MRNA, which encodes CAU, has a complementary antisense sequence of GUA. Antisense sequence is bound to MRNA to form a two -string complex.

genetic engineers considered this concept useful in creating modified organisms. One such example is that the tomato known as Flavr-Savr. Tomatoes produce an enzyme called polygalacturonase (PG), which softens the fruit during ripening. PG is coded with tomato genome. Farmers of regular tomatoes have to choose them before they are fully mature, so that PG does not change the fruit before it gets into a supermarket shelf.

Flavr-Savr tomatoes have another genetic engine gene, which produces the antisense version of PG MRNA. This antisense spring is holding most pg mrna that tomatoes produceE, thus blocking the production of PG enzyme. This prevents tomatoes from being ripe, so that farmers can grow tomatoes that taste and look injured, but are not soft.

Antisense RNA can also have an application in medicine. Some diseases such as Huntington's disease are caused by genes producing defective or undesirable proteins. People cannot be kept to have a changed genome such as tomatoes, but scientists can somehow supply antisense RNA or gene to the code for antisense RNA, into cells that produce undesirable protein.

Using the virus as a carrier of antisense gene or RNA injection directly into the area are possible delivery methods. However, one of the problems with science is that optimizing delivery methods is complex. Another disadvantage is that RNA does not have to be eciffic, to target only undesirable MRNA, which could be dangerous to the patient. Examples of Antisense RNA in nature are unusual. One such occurrence happens in humans and in mice where an insulin -like gene geneThe two -one factor, inherited by the mother, is blocked by Antisense RNA produced from the father's version of the gene.