Nanostructured RNAs for RNA interference

Abstract

We synthesized three types of nanostructured RNAs that induce RNA interference (RNAi): branched RNAs, dumbbell-shaped RNA, and circular double-stranded RNAs. All three nanostructured RNAs were transformed into double-stranded RNA of approximately 20 base pairs when they were treated with nuclease enzymes such as Dicer. These dsRNA species induced gene silencing when they are were introduced into mammalian cells.