The RNA-induced silencing complex: a versatile gene-silencing machine.

ABSTRACT: RNA interference is a powerful mechanism of gene silencing that underlies many aspects of eukaryotic biology. On the molecular level, RNA interference is mediated by a family of ribonucleoprotein complexes called RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs), which can be programmed to target virtually any nucleic acid sequence for silencing. The ability of RISC to locate target RNAs has been co-opted by evolution many times to generate a broad spectrum of gene-silencing pathways. Here, we review the fundamental biochemical and biophysical properties of RISC that facilitate gene targeting and describe the various mechanisms of gene silencing known to exploit RISC activity.

SUBMITTER: Pratt AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2709356 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature