Recent Advances in RNA Interference

Introduction of double\|stranded RNA(dsRNA) into cells can induce specific mRNA degradation. This process is called RNA interference(RNAi). It is a kind of post\|transcriptional gene silencing(PTGS).RNAi exists in a wide variety of organisms. RNAi pathway can be divided into three steps: initiation step, amplification step and effector step. RNAi has important roles in maintaining the stabilization of the genome, protecting the genome from the invasion of the exogenic nucleic acid. As a gene silencing tool, RNAi has been widely used in gene function research,gene therapy and new drug research and development.