Characterisation and application of a bovine U6 promoter for expression of short hairpin RNAs

BackgroundThe use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules in animals to achieve double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) has recently emerged as a powerful method of sequence-specific gene knockdown. As DNA-based expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for RNAi may offer some advantages over chemical and in vitro synthesised siRNA, a number of vectors for expression of shRNA have been developed. These often feature polymerase III (pol. III) promoters of either mouse or human origin.ResultsTo develop a shRNA expression vector specifically for bovine RNAi applications, we identified and characterised a novel bovine U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) promoter from bovine sequence data. This promoter is the putative bovine homologue of the human U6-8 snRNA promoter, and features a number of functional sequence elements that are characteristic of these types of pol. III promoters. A PCR based cloning strategy was used to incorporate this promoter sequence into plasmid vectors along with shRNA sequences for RNAi. The promoter was then used to express shRNAs, which resulted in the efficient knockdown of an exogenous reporter gene and an endogenous bovine gene.ConclusionWe have mined data from the bovine genome sequencing project to identify a functional bovine U6 promoter and used the promoter sequence to construct a shRNA expression vector. The use of this native bovine promoter in shRNA expression is an important component of our future development of RNAi therapeutic and transgenic applications in bovine species.<br /

Strategic Australian biotechnology opportunities

Discusses the biotechnology opportunities in Australia as of April 2005. Specific core activities of Australian biotechnology companies; Number of biotechnology companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on September 30, 2004; Mutual recognition arrangements that exist with Australia and key international regulatory authorities

Clinical trials in Asia Pacific

The article provides information on biotechnology in Asia. According to research, Asian Pacific biotechnology is known for its competent staff, world class technologies, efficient utilities, and abundance of reasonably priced raw materials. Other attributes of the Asia Pacific region that makes it a sought-after location in conducting clinical studies are also discussed. Meanwhile, the role of Contract Research Organization (CRO) in clinical studies in the Asia Pacific region is also presented.<br /

Australian and New Zealand untapped biotechnology opportunities

Focuses on biotechnology opportunities in Australia and New Zealand. Increase in investments into the Australian and New Zealand biotechnology sector; Rank of Australia among biomedical research and development cost-effective countries; Application of New Zealand\u27s biotechnology research in fields such as forestry and human healthcare

Snapshot of Singapore biotechnology boom indicators

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on the biotechnology industry players in Singapore and another on a market audit survey on the Singapore biotechnology sector.<br /