The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is made up of two strands. Both strands can act as templates to produce a molecule called ribonucleic acid (RNA). One of the DNA strands contains information on the organism in which it resides. The RNA produced from this strand, which in turn will act as a template for the production of protein, is called messenger RNA. It is also described as being sense RNA. The RNA produced from the other DNA strand is called antisense RNA. The sense and antisense RNAs are complimentary and the strands will readily bind together to form a duplex. Formation of the RNA duplex prevents the sense RNA from being read by the cellular machinery to produce protein. In this manner the antisense RNA functions as regulator of gene expression.
The vast majority of antisense RNAs are inhibitors of gene expression. But antisense RNA activation of messenger RNA has been shown in Staphylococcus aureus, perhaps by over riding one of the stop mechanisms in the protein production process.
Antisense RNA occurs naturally and is a mechanism used to regulate the expression of genetic material cells. For example, in both mice and humans, the gene for the insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor that is inherited from the father synthesizes an antisense RNA that may block the synthesis of the messenger RNA for the growth factor receptor. Inhibition of other cell processes by antisense RNA is also important in the programmed death of prokaryotic microorganisms.
The ability of antisense RNA to selectively inhibit protein is being explored in the context of gene therapy - the genetic correction of medical maladies. Delivery of antisense RNA to targets in the body via certain retroviruses may hold potential in acquired immunodeficiency.
The antisense RNA behavior may also have commercial potential. Antisense RNA successfully prevented production an enzyme involved in spoilage in a transgenic tomato, although other unrelated problems led to withdrawal of the product from the market.