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Design and Expression of Chimeric U1/Ribozyme Transgenes

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Ribozymes and siRNA Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 252))

Abstract

The U1snRNA/ribozyme/antisense construct (designated U1/ribozyme) is a chimeric transgene that has proven to be very useful for inhibiting the expression of targeted genes in vitro and in vivo. It consists of a combination of hammerhead ribozyme flanked by target-specific antisense sequences that are in turn flanked by the loops and promoter of U1 snRNA. To construct U1/ribozymes, antisense/ribozyme sequences are first designed corresponding to ribozyme-cleavage consensus “GUC” sequences that are present in the targeted mRNA. Antisense/ribozyme sequences are then inserted between the U1 snRNA loops, and the conceptual secondary structure of the encoded regulatory RNA is analyzed to ensure proper folding. Appropriate antisense/ribozymes are then synthesized as oligonucleotides, annealed, and ligated into the pU1 vector containing the U1 snRNA promoter and loops to yield the pU1/ribozyme expression vector. Constructs can then be transiently or stably expressed in vitro and in vivo to inhibit the expression of target genes. U1/ribozymes can also be expressed in viral vectors for more efficient transfection, or complexed to liposomes for systemic delivery.

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© 2004 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Abounader, R., Montgomery, R., Dietz, H., Laterra, J. (2004). Design and Expression of Chimeric U1/Ribozyme Transgenes. In: Sioud, M. (eds) Ribozymes and siRNA Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 252. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-746-7:209

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-746-7:209

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-226-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-746-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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