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Emerging Technologies

Trendy RNA Tools for Aging Research

¹ Gene Function Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba Science City, Japan.
² Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Japan.

Address correspondence to Dr. Renu Wadhwa, Gene Function Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba Science City 305-8562, Japan. E-mail: renu-wadhwa{at}aist.go.jp

Aging is an inevitable biological phenomenon. Attempts to understand its mechanisms and, consequently, to therapeutically decelerate or even reverse the process are limited by its daunting complexity. Rapid and robust functional genomic tools suited to a wide array of experimental model systems are needed to dissect the interplay of individual genes during aging. In this article, we review principles that transcend the view of RNA, from a molecule merely mediating the flow of genetic information, into a unique molecular tool. In the form of catalytic molecular scissors (ribozymes), antibody-like antagonists (aptamers) and gene silencers (interfering RNAs, RNAi) can be effectively used to dissect biofunctions conserved throughout the evolution. In this review, application of recent RNA tools in aging research is discussed.