RNAi基因沉默技术及其在植物抗病性改良中应用的策略

RNAi (RNA interference) 是一种由dsRNA参与、对靶基因表达进行干扰或沉默的现象。由此发展起来的RNAi基因沉默技术已成为当今植物基因功能研究和遗传改良的一个重要手段。该技术已经在靶向病原物(真菌、细菌、病毒和线虫)基因沉默方面得到了广泛的应用，并且产生了一批抗病性增强的转基因植物。人工设计和合成的amiRNAs和ata siRNAs的成功研发加快了RNAi技术的应用。本文对RNAi基因沉默机制、RNAi技术研发进展及其在植物抗病性遗传改良中的应用进行综述，并对其应用策略进行探讨。

Strategic use of RNAi mediated gene silencing technology for engineering plants with improved disease resistance

RNA interference (RNAi) is a RNA homology dependent gene silencing technology that involves double stranded RNA (dsRNA) directed against a target gene or its promoter region. RNAi is now widely used as a useful tool for discovering or validating gene functions, and as a quick way for engineering plants with improved agronomic traits, such as fungal, bacterial, viral and nematode disease resistance. The use of RNAi mediated gene silencing technology in plant sciences has been speeded up with the increasing success of artificial design, biosynthesis and utilization of miRNAs and ta siRNAs. The mechanisms and progress of RNAi technology and its strategic use in engineering plants with improved disease resistance were here reviewed and discussed.