From the Guidelines
RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule that plays a crucial role in biological processes, including gene expression and protein synthesis, as demonstrated by its involvement in RNA interference (RNAi) 1.
Definition and Function of RNA
RNA is a single-stranded molecule composed of nucleotides containing the sugar ribose, phosphate groups, and the bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil. It serves multiple functions in cells, including:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) carrying genetic information from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis
- Transfer RNA (tRNA) delivering amino acids to ribosomes during protein production
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) forming part of ribosomes, the cellular machinery for protein synthesis
- Various non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression
Importance of RNA in Gene Therapy
RNA is also a key component in gene therapy, particularly in the process of RNA interference (RNAi), which is a post-transcriptional gene silencing process that inhibits or sequesters target gene expression or translation 1. This process has been demonstrated to be a promising therapeutic approach for various diseases, and non-viral nanoparticles have been explored as potential delivery vehicles for RNAi 1.
Recent Advances in RNA Research
Recent studies have focused on the design and development of non-viral nanoparticles for RNAi, highlighting the importance of RNA in therapeutic applications 1. The vulnerability of RNA and the meticulous RNAi process in cells render particular requirements for vehicle design and fabrication, making it essential to consider the critical aspects of vehicle design that affect RNA encapsulation, targeting yield, and successful cytosolic release of RNA 1.
From the Research
Definition of RNA
- RNA (Ribonucleic acid) is a molecule that carries genetic information which is read in cells to make the RNA and proteins by which living things function 2
- RNA has been merely regarded as a molecule that can either function as a messenger (mRNA) or as part of the translational machinery (tRNA, rRNA) 3
- RNAs are versatile molecules that do not only play key roles in many important biological processes like splicing, editing, protein export and others, but can also--like enzymes--act catalytically 3
Functions of RNA
- RNA is involved in various biological processes such as splicing, editing, protein export, and others 3
- RNA can act catalytically, like enzymes 3
- RNA interference (RNAi) is a process where double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers the degradation of corresponding host mRNA into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) 4, 5
- RNAi has been documented in a wide variety of organisms, including plants, fungi, flies, worms, and higher mammals 4
Types of RNA
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis 3, 2
- Transfer RNA (tRNA) is involved in the translation of mRNA into protein 3
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a component of the ribosome, which is responsible for protein synthesis 3
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is involved in RNA interference (RNAi) and can silence gene expression 4, 6, 5