RNA干涉原理图

RNA interference (RNAi) is a recently identified mechanism that influences expression of genes in a wide variety of organisms, including fungi, nematodes, fruit fly (Drosophila), plants and mammalian cells. RNAi has been implicated in several, different processes including the temporal regulation of developmental gene expression, and the protection of genome integrity by prevention of transposon mobilisation. In addition, in plants, RNAi also functions as a resistance mechanism against virus infection by targeting virus-specific RNA molecules for degradation.

Many, perhaps all, plant viruses encode suppressor proteins that interrupt RNAi and facilitate virus infection. Studies in other laboratories have shown that plant virus silencing suppressor proteins operate in a number of ways, including reversing silencing in tissues in which it is already established, preventing initiation of silencing in newly emerging tissues or preventing spread of a systemic signal that induces silencing in other tissues.

标签：RNA干涉   干涉原理