PD Guide
RNA Interference
RNA interference is a mechanism by which cells utilize short bits of non-coding RNA (microRNA and small interfering RNA) to suppress other genes. A possible pathogenic role of RNA interference mechanisms in PD is not clear, but some initial reports suggest the possibility (Nelson et al., 2008; Sethupathy and Collins, 2008). A specific microRNA, miR-133b, appears to be involved in dopamine neuron development and is reduced in brains of people with PD (Kim et al., 2007). Individuals with a particular polymorphism in a microRNA binding site of the FGF20 RNA 3’ untranslated region have been associated with greater PD risk; the variant is hypothesized to disrupt microRNA suppression of FGF20 leading to downstream toxicity (Wang et al., 2008).
Use of RNA intereference to target specific disease-associated gene transcription has been suggested as a possible therapeutic strategy (Gonzales-Alegre, 2007).