Anti--Sense Technology

Anti
Overview

Antisense technology is a tool that is used for the

inhibition of gene expression.
expression.

This technology was first developed by Dr Dr.. Hal

Weintraub and his colleagues in the early 1980
1980ss.

The principle behind it is that an antisense nucleic

acid sequence base pairs with its complementary
sense RNA strand and prevents it from being
translated into a protein.
protein.

The complimentary nucleic acid sequence can
be either a synthetic oligonucleotide, often
oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) of less than
30 nucleotides, or longer antisense RNA
(aRNA) sequences.
sequences.

An example of sense and antisense RNA is:

is:
5´ A C G U 3´ mRNA (Sense)
3´ U G C A 5´ Antisense RNA
Sequence of transcription of
antisense DNA strand into
the sense mRNA strand,
which is then translated
into a polypeptide
 How inhibition works ?

When the aRNA binds to the

complementary mRNA, it forms a double
double--
stranded RNA (dsRNA) complex that is
similar to double-
double-stranded DNA
DNA..

The dsRNA complex does not allow normal

translation to occur.
The exact mechanism by which translation is
blocked is unknown.

There are three theories and they include:


The dsRNA prevents ribosomes from binding to
the sense RNA and translating.

The dsRNA cannot be transported from within

the nucleus to the cytosol, which is where
translation occurs.

dsRNA is susceptible to endoribonucleases that

would otherwise not affect single stranded RNA,
but degrade the dsRNA.
Problems with antisense technology

Antisense technology has not been perfected
perfected..

It is still difficult to express aRNA only in targeted
tissues..
tissues

Precision gene therapy using aRNA needs to be
improved because as it is right now, aRNA
sometimes binds to mRNA that is not its target.
target.

It is known to improperly bind to Human Growth
Factor .

Furthermore, the uptake of aRNA is still imprecise
imprecise..
Areas of application

The possibilities that aRNA has to offer the
scientific and medical fields seems endless.
endless.

To suppress or inactivate genes which code for
disease causing proteins
proteins..

For the deactivation of oncogenes
oncogenes..

For the suppression of viral RNA expression
expression..

To understand naturally occurring aRNA that
can be used for genomic imprinting
imprinting..
Where was it used?

Antisense technology has already been successful in suppressing the gene
for the protein that makes tomatoes spoil.
spoil.

Flavr Savr tomatoes were transgenic tomatoes constructed to have artificial

DNA that coded for aRNA that was complementary to the RNA that coded
for the protein that caused spoiling.
spoiling.

The aRNA suppressed the expression of this spoilage gene by 10%

10%, which
was enough to save the tomatoes from rotting while being shipped to
grocery stores.
stores.

The tomatoes are no longer on the market due to complications in the

harvesting process.
process.
Thank You