Small Molecules and RNAi
RNA interference (RNAi) is a well-conserved mechanism that uses small noncoding RNAs to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Although the major components within the RNAi/miRNA pathway have been identified, the molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of the RNAi/miRNA pathway have only begun to emerge.
Chemical biology, in particular the use of diverse chemicals to interrogate molecular processes, provides a novel means of rapidly and effectively dissecting biological mechanisms and gene networks in ways not feasible with mutation-based genetic approaches. Thus, identification of the small molecules modulating the biological activity of the RNAi pathway will allow us to explore miRNA/siRNA biogenesis from a unique angle that could open up a whole new approach for dissecting the RNAi/miRNA pathway, as well as developing novel therapeutic interventions.
Featured Papers
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Shan, G.*, Li, Y.* (*Equal Contribution), Zhang, J., Li, W., Szulwach, K., Duan, R., Faghihi, M.A., Khalil, A., Lu, L., Paroo, Z., Chan, A.W.S., Shi, Z., Liu, Q., Wahlestedt, C., He, C., and Jin, P. (2008). A small molecule enhances RNA interference and promotes microRNA processing. Nature Biotechnology, 8, 933-940. PMC2831467
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Li, X. and Jin, P. (2010). Roles of small regulatory RNAs in determining neuronal identity. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(5): 329-338people more about the services you offer. Add your own content here.
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Li, Y., He, C. and Jin, P. (2010). Emergence of Chemical Biology Approaches to the RNAi/miRNA Pathway. Chemistry & Biology, 17(6): 584-589. PMC2901241
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Li, Y., Lin, L., Li, Z., Ye, X., Xiong, K., Aryal, B., Xu, Z., Paroo, Z., Liu, Q., He, C., and Jin, P. (2012) Iron Homeostasis Regulates the Activity of the MicroRNA Pathway through Poly(C)-Binding Protein 2. Cell Metabolism, 15, 895-904. PMC3613991