Recent developments in RNA-technologies
Fürste, J.P., Stiege, W., Bald, R., Jäschke, A., Erdmann, V.A.
Institut für Biochemie, Freie Universit6auml;t Berlin, Thielallee 63, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
Based upon the recent developments in the area of RNA research, there is no doubt that the RNA-technologies will be of major interest in the future to the fields of biotechnology, pharmacy, medicine, agriculture and basic biological sciences. The increase in activities related to RNA research was initiated by the discovery of RNA molecules with catalytic activities. These molecules are termed ribozymes and are predicted to be of major influence in the future
development of science and medicine, because they can be employed for specific inactivations of cellular processes. The advantage of using ribozymes is connected to their inherent activities; i.e. through multiple turnovers, one ribozyme is able to inactivate several target molecules.
Further potentials of RNA molecules are through in vitro-evolution of high affinity RNA molecules. This development has come about with the rejection of the idea that nucleic acids are mere strings of sequence and their realization as molecules that fold into defined three-dimensional structures. Taking advantage of this technology, oligonucleotide ligands with high affinities for a striking variety of molecular targets have been identified. The development
of high affinity RNA molecules may complement or even exceed the potential of monoclonal antibodies. The limitation associated with the diagnostic or therapeutic application of oligonucleotides is their instability in the presence of biological media. We have addressed this problem by designing mirror image RNA molecules with exceptional stabilities in biological fluids. This was achieved by employing in vitro evolution against the mirror-image of the intended target. Given the principle of reciprocal chiral specificities, the mirror-image of the high affinity RNA was able to bind to the natural target.
Furthermore, the in vitro protein-synthesis on mRNA molecules (proteinbioreactor) is a promising tool for industrial and medical applications. This system is able to overcome inherent difficulties of in vivo protein synthesis and therefore avoids the problems associated with gene technology.
| LOCATION |
DATE |
TIME |
| Lecture Hall II |
Sunday, April 5 |
04:50 pm |