Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) in human cells

Transient gene silencing in mammalian cells can be mediated by double stranded RNA (dsRNAs) molecules of approximately 20-25 nucleotides termed short interfering (siRNAs). Naturally occurring siRNAs in lower eukaryotes have characteristic structural elements; however, little is known about what features are critical for an exogenous siRNA to mediate RNAi in mammals. We have recently determined some of the critical parameters that influence the efficiency of siRNA-mediated RNAi in mammalian cells and have been considering the use of RNAi as a functional genomics tool, particularly for high throughput analysis, and the potential use of RNAi as a therapeutic tool.