Antisense Technology

Abstract Antisense technology is a powerful procedure that permits the controlled silencing of a specific gene for investigations of mRNA and protein function. This valuable text provides proven step-by-step protocols for antisense techniques in a range of different organisms and cell culture systems. In addition it discusses the potential benefits and problems for various antisense methods which complement gene knock-out experiments. The book includes antisense techniques such as: analysis of nucleic acid structures; measurement and evaluation of antisense effects; selection, preparation and the use of antisense oligonucleotides; in vitro RNA transcription; construction strategies, testing and optimization of catalytic antisense RNAs based on hammerhead ribozymes; synthesis and evaluation of 2-5 A- antisense chimeras for targeted degradation of RNA. The application of these technologies are then described, with chapters on antisense techniques in Dictyostelium, plants and the medical uses and benefits of antisense sense technology both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, non-antisense effects of oligonucleotides, "anti-sense rescue", shotgun antisense mutagenesis, and in vivo, in vitro and in situ detection of sense:antisense duplexes by structure-specific anti-RNA antibodies are discussed. The numerous hints and tips for success and advice on trouble shooting, make this authoritative text invaluable to all those researchers who work on gene expression, RNA transcription, or protein function.