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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

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Published on: March 3, 2015
Studies on antisense inhibition of translation in vitro. Anomalies and re-evaluation
1Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6076.
Abstract:
Experiments were carried out to better characterize antisense control of translation. Results in an E. coli system confirmed specific inhibition of poly(U) translation. At low concentrations, certain homopolymers (including poly(rA)) stimulated translation. Oligo(dA(n)) was inhibitory at n less than or equal to 8. Translation of globin mRNA in reticulocyte lysates indicated that ssDNA 15-mers targeted at beta-globin mRNA inhibited both alpha- and beta-globin production. Sequences targeted immediately downstream of the AUG were the least effective in inhibition. These and other anomalies are discussed here in relation to those of others, emphasizing caution in performing antisense experiments.
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