Compared to chemically synthesized siRNA, shRNA (short hairpin RNA) can be expressed continuously within cells, providing longer-lasting gene silencing and avoiding the dilution of siRNA with cell division. This makes it more effective in long-term studies and the treatment of infectious diseases. Consequently, in the field of infectious disease therapy research, shRNA has become an important tool. Creative Biolabs offers comprehensive shRNA screening services, focusing on providing efficient and precise gene silencing solutions to support in-depth infectious disease research.
Fig.1 Promising strategies for using si/shRNA for HIV infection.1
shRNA is a carefully designed synthetic RNA molecule, with a structure resembling a hairpin, including a loop region and two reverse complementary sequences. This unique structure enables it to specifically inhibit the activity of target genes by complementary pairing with their mRNA sequences. Although both shRNA and siRNA are used for gene silencing, their mechanisms and persistence differ. Researchers can choose the most appropriate method based on the specific needs of the experiment and the different properties of these two molecules.
| Characteristics | siRNA (Small Interfering RNA) | shRNA (Short Hairpin RNA) |
| Structure and Formation | Short double-stranded RNA cut directly from double-stranded RNA | Single-stranded RNA containing a hairpin loop, cleaved within the cell to form siRNA |
| Preparation Method | Usually chemically synthesized or enzymatically cleaved in vitro; shorter production cycle | Based on vector expression, requires cellular transcription and processing |
| Persistence and Stability | Transient, not continuously produced by cellular mechanisms; more prone to degradation | Long-term effect, achieved through integration into the genome or persistent expression vectors; effective in progeny |
| Design Complexity | Relatively simple, mainly target sequence selection; easily modifiable | Requires consideration of hairpin structure stability and efficiency of processing into siRNA; not chemically modifiable |
| Mechanism of Action | Binds with RISC, degrades or inhibits mRNA through complementary pairing | Same as siRNA, acts similarly after being cleaved into siRNA |
| Application Areas | Gene function research, drug development, disease treatment | Same as siRNA, particularly common in applications requiring long-term gene silencing |
The shRNA screening service provided by Creative Biolabs is a high-end service aimed at accelerating the progress of infectious disease research. Utilizing the gene-silencing capability of shRNA, this service helps clients identify and validate key genes affecting the life cycle of infectious pathogens, thus providing targets for drug development and treatment strategies.
If you wish to accelerate infectious disease research using advanced shRNA technology, the expert team at Creative Biolabs is ready to provide you with customized shRNA screening services. Please contact us to advance your scientific research project.
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