RNAi-based methods for gene silencing in mouse oocytes

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:957:135-51. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-191-2_9.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionary conserved gene-silencing pathway that can be efficiently utilized as a tool to study gene function. RNAi is initiated by long double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), which are processed into small duplexes called small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In turn, these duplexes target mRNAs for degradation in a sequence-specific manner. Mouse oocytes, unlike most mammalian cell types, lack an interferon response to long dsRNA. Moreover, they are a rare example of a mammalian cell type with a robust endogenous RNAi pathway. For these reasons microinjection of either long dsRNAs or siRNAs results in efficient, sequence-specific gene silencing. Here, we describe a protocol for preparation and microinjection of long dsRNA into mouse oocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Female
  • Inverted Repeat Sequences
  • Mice
  • Microinjections / methods*
  • Oocytes / metabolism*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / genetics*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / isolation & purification
  • Reverse Transcription

Substances

  • RNA, Double-Stranded