Oligonucleotides as inhibitors of protein synthesis.

Abstract

Duplex formation between an oligonucleotide and a strand of mRNA can effectively inhibit the expression of a specific gene via interfering with the cellular protein synthesis process. The antisense technology (1) is regarded as a powerful tool in molecular biology. Advances in the field have also led to the development of many pharmaceutical/therapeutic applications, with a number of oligonucleotides undergoing human clinical trials at present (2). Making the best use of this approach requires a good understanding of the subject, careful planning, a knowledge of limitations and pitfalls, and a capacity to go beyond the basic antisense techniques.