Open AccessGene Knockdown: A Powerful Tool for Gene Function Study in Fish
Author(s) -
Boonanuntanasarn Surintorn
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.2008.00167.x
Subject(s) - biology , gene , gene knockdown , gene expression , oligonucleotide , computational biology , ribozyme , function (biology) , antisense rna , rna , genetics , dna , genome , regulation of gene expression , gene cluster
So far, there are a number of fish genome projects, including experimental and economically important fish that provide available DNA sequence information. However, the function of a gene cannot be deduced only by its DNA sequence. Therefore, a technique with which to investigate the function of the fish gene is needed. Gene knockdown (GKD), or antisense technology, is now being used as a powerful technique to study gene functions in living organisms. GKD effects result from the introduction of an antisense molecule into living cells. The antisense agents bind to target messenger RNA, thus inactivating the target gene expression. The appropriately spatial inhibitory effects on protein production from corresponding gene resulted in the phenotypic change. Therefore, the function of the gene can be understood. To date, there are a number of antisense molecules that can affect efficient GKD in fish. These include antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, and ribozyme. These antisense molecules cause specific gene inhibitor effects with different mechanisms. The various antisense mechanism types facilitate a number of GKD applications with various approaches in animals. In this review, we demonstrate the characteristics of each antisense molecule, its mechanism, and its application, especially for gene functional analysis in fish.