RNA interference is a gene regulatory mechanism in which the expression of specific genes is downregulated by endogenous microRNAs or by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Although siRNAs have broad potential for gene-silencing therapy, their instability is one of the difficulties in developing siRNA-based agents. To improve their stability, most of the developed siRNA-based drugs are chemically modified in their nucleotides or phosphodiester linkages. However, chemical modification is not a perfect strategy for siRNA stabilization because extensive modification may interrupt the gene-silencing activity of siRNAs and also induce cytotoxicity.
Click here for original story, A new strategy for siRNA stabilization by an artificial cationic oligosaccharide
Source: Phys.org