[RNA interference: biogenesis molecular mechanisms and its applications in cervical cancer]

Rev Invest Clin. 2010 Jan-Feb;62(1):63-80.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

RNAi (RNA interference) is a natural process by which eukaryotic cells silence gene expression through small interference RNAs (siRNA) which are complementary to messenger RNA (mRNA). In this process, the siRNA that are 21-25 nucleotides long and are known as microRNA (miRNA), either associate with the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which targets and cleaves the complementary mRNAs by the endonucleolytic pathway, or repress the translation. It is also possible to silence exogenous gene expression during viral infections by using DNA templates to transcribe siRNA with properties that are identical to those of bioactive microRNA. Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main etiological agent during cervical cancer development and the HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes, which induce cellular transformation and immortalization, represent strategic targets to be silenced with siRNA. In several in vitro and in vivo studies, it has been demonstrated that the introduction of siRNA directed against the E6 and E7 oncogenes in human tumoral cervical cells transformed by HPV, leads to the efficient silencing of HPV E6 and E7 oncogene expression, which induces the accumulation of the products of the p53 and pRb tumor suppressor genes and activates the mechanism of programmed cell death by apoptosis; thus, the progression of the tumoral growth process may be prevented. The goal of this review is to analyze the microRNA biogenesis process in the silencing of gene expression and to discuss the different protocols for the use of siRNA as a potential gene therapy strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Viral
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Design
  • Female
  • Gammapapillomavirus / genetics
  • Gammapapillomavirus / pathogenicity
  • Gammapapillomavirus / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / physiology
  • Oncogenes
  • Papillomavirus Infections / genetics
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • RNA, Neoplasm / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Neoplasm / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / therapeutic use
  • Telomerase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Telomerase / genetics
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / therapy
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MicroRNAs
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TERT protein, human
  • Telomerase