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1

Thermodynamic aspects of the self-assembly of DsrA, a small noncoding RNA from Escherichia coli

100%

Geinguenaud F., Gesson M., Arluison V.

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2014

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vol. 61

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issue 1

179-184

EN

DsrA is an Escherichia coli small noncoding RNA that acts by base pairing to some mRNAs in order to control their translation and turnover. It was recently shown that DsrA is able to self-associate in a way similar to DNA and to build nanostructures. Although functional consequence of this RNA self-assembly in vivo is not yet understood, the formation of such an assemblage more than likely influences the noncoding RNA function. We report here for the first time the thermodynamic basis of this natural RNA self-assembly. In particular we show that assembling of the ribonucleic acid is enthalpy driven and that the versatility of the RNA molecule is important for the polymerisation; indeed, an equivalent DNA sequence is unable to make a nanoassembly. The origin of the difference is discussed herein.

2

Triggering RNAi with multifunctional RNA nanoparticles and their delivery

75%

Dao B. N., Viard M., Martins A. N., Kasprzak W. K., Shapiro B. A., Afonin K. A.

DNA and RNA Nanotechnology

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2015

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vol. 2

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issue 1

EN

Proteins are considered to be the key players in structure, function, and metabolic regulation of our bodies. The mechanisms used in conventional therapies often rely on inhibition of proteins with small molecules, but another promising method to treat disease is by targeting the corresponding mRNAs. In 1998, Craig Mellow and Andrew Fire discovered dsRNA-mediated gene silencing via RNA interference or RNAi. This discovery introduced almost unlimited possibilities for new gene silencing methods, thus opening new doors to clinical medicine. RNAi is a biological process that inhibits gene expression by targeting the mRNA. RNAi-based therapeutics have several potential advantages (i) a priori ability to target any gene, (ii) relatively simple design process, (iii) sitespecificity, (iv) potency, and (v) a potentially safe and selective knockdown of the targeted cells. However, the problem lies within the formulation and delivery of RNAi therapeutics including rapid excretion, instability in the bloodstream, poor cellular uptake, and inefficient intracellular release. In an attempt to solve these issues, different types of RNAi therapeutic delivery strategies including multifunctional RNA nanoparticles are being developed. In this mini-review, we will briefly describe some of the current approaches.

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Nucleic Acid Computing and its Potential to Transform Silicon-Based Technology

75%

Abels S. G., Khisamutdinov E. F.

DNA and RNA Nanotechnology

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2015

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vol. 2

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issue 1

EN

Molecular computers have existed on our planet for more than 3.5 billion years. Molecular computing devices, composed of biological substances such as nucleic acids, are responsible for the logical processing of a variety of inputs, creating viable outputs that are key components of the cellular machinery of all living organisms. We have begun to adopt some of the structural and functional knowledge of the cellular apparatus in order to fabricate nucleic-acid-based molecular computers in vitro and in vivo. Nucleic acid computing is directly dependent on advances in DNA and RNA nanotechnology. The field is still emerging and a number of challenges persist. Perhaps the most salient among these is how to translate a variety of nucleic-acid-based logic gates, developed by numerous research laboratories, into the realm of silicon-based computing. This mini-review provides some basic information on the advances in nucleic-acid-based computing and its potential to serve as an alternative that can revolutionize silicon-based technology.

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2 DNA and RNA Nanotechnology

1 Acta Biochimica Polonica

2 2015

1 2014

1 Abels S. G.

1 Afonin K. A.

1 Arluison V.

1 Dao B. N.

1 Geinguenaud F.

1 Gesson M.

1 Kasprzak W. K.

1 Khisamutdinov E. F.

1 Martins A. N.

1 Shapiro B. A.

1 Viard M.

Thermodynamic aspects of the self-assembly of DsrA, a small noncoding RNA from Escherichia coli

Triggering RNAi with multifunctional RNA nanoparticles and their delivery

Nucleic Acid Computing and its Potential to Transform Silicon-Based Technology