|
Aim | Method | Features |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Knock-out of miRNA gene | Homologous recombination/Gene editing with zinc finger nucleases | (i) Precise intervention | (i) Laborious and time consuming |
(ii) Complete loss-of-function | (ii) Simultaneous knock-out of protein encoded by the same transcriptional unit |
|
Knock-down of miRNA | Antisense oligonucleotide Ribozymes/DNAzymes | (i) Can attack mature miRNA and miRNA precursors | (i) OTEs and unspecific secondary effects may occur |
(ii) Efficiency of knock-down is difficult to predict |
(ii) Stable expression from vector-constructs |
(iii) Multiple knock-downs might be needed to produce a phenotype |
(iii) Commercially available |
(iv) Transfection/transduction of multiple oligonucleotides is possible |
miRNA sponges | (i) Easy design | (i) Efficiency of knock-down is difficult to predict |
(ii) Simultaneous knock-down of multiple miRNAs |
(ii) Incomplete knock-down of individual miRNAs |
(iii) Expression can be verified by fluorescent reporter |
|
Over-expression of miRNA | miRNA mimics | (i) Efficient silencing of target mRNA | (i) Oversaturation of RNAi machinery can lead to secondary effects |
(ii) Oligonucleotides mimicking mature miRNAs or miRNA precursors could be used |
(iii) Transfection/transduction of multiple mimics is possible |
(iv) Stable transfection from vector-constructs |
Conditional release of miRNA from riboswitch constructs | (i) Controlled expression of mature miRNA | (i) Laborious design |
(ii) Possibly less toxic side effects | (ii) Lack of availability |
(iii) Not yet adaptable to high-throughput analysis |
|
Release of target mRNA from repression by miRNA | Target protectors | (i) Release of specific mRNA from regulation by miRNA possible | (i) Target mRNA has to be known |
|