[关键词]
[摘要]
RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)是把双链RNA(double-stranded RNA,dsRNA)导入某些生物和细胞而引起同源mRNA降解的现象,是一种转录后基因沉默机制。dsRNA在体内被Dicer二聚体切割成21~25bp的小干涉RNA(smallinterfering RNA,siRNA),然后在siRNA引导下,由RNA诱导沉默复合体(RN Ainduced silencing complex,RISC)降解靶mRNA。RNA干扰作为一种新型反义技术可以有效的抑制特异基因的表达,因此可用于对药用植物次生代谢产物的生物合成途径进行调控,达到调控天然产物生物合成的目的。现将RNAi机制研究的最新进展及RNAi在药用植物代谢工程方面的应用进行综述。
[Key word]
[Abstract]
RNA interference (RNAi) is a phenomenon in which the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into certain organisms and cell types causes degradation of the homologous mRNA and it is a mechanism of post-transcriptional gene silencing. The dsRNA is processed into 21-25-nucleotide's small interfering RNA (siRNA) by Dicer-dimer in vivo and then the target mRNA will be degradated by RNA induced silencing complex (RISC) which is induced by siRNA. As a novel antisense technology that can be used to inhibit the expression of extraordinary genes, RNAi can be applied to regulate the biosynthetic pathway of secondary metabolites of medicinal plants and finally to control the biosynthesis of the natural products. This review focuses on the recent progress in mechanism of RNAi and its application to metabolic engineering of medicinal plants.
[中图分类号]
[基金项目]
国家“863”计划资助项目(2002AA212191);西南师范大学博士基金资助项目(240-432108)