RNA interference: recent trends and its application in controlling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Abstract

Degradation of homologous mRNA in some cells or organisms is possible through the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), via a process called RNA interference (RNAi). The dsRNAs are processed into short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) which consequently bind to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), and causes degradation of target mRNAs. RNAi has been widely used to study gene modifications and functions hence has the possibility to control disease pathogens or vectors. This promising potential led researchers to discovery gene control mechanisms in tropical diseases, by manipulating genes of pathogens and vectors, protozoans, animal parasitic helminthes and disease-transmitting vectors, such as insects. Many pathogens and vectors cause severe parasitic diseases in tropical regions and it is challenging to control them once the host has been invaded intracellular. The aim of this work is to show how RNA interference can be used as treatment candidate for controlling some neglected tropical disease as it is highly effective in impeding parasitic development and their proliferation within their host.

Keywords: Mosquitoes, Parasitic protozoa, Helminthes, Insect vector