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siRNA for Gene Silencing

siRNA for Gene Silencing
 
 
siRNA (small interfering ribonucleic acid) is a type of RNA that is involved in a number of biological processes, most notably RNA interference. RNA interference is a regulatory process that is used to control and limit the expression of specific genes. Regulatory active siRNA consists of annealed, complementary RNA sequences, which are usually 21-25 nucleotide in length and with symmetric 2 nucleotide 3’ overhangs.
Chemical synthesis enables the incorporation of DNA nucleotides as overhangs thereby rendering the siRNA-duplex more stable against nuclease degradation.
 

Features and Benefits

 
 
High Quality
  • All siRNAs are MALDI-TOF MS controlled before shipment.
  • Microsynth is a renowned siRNA supplier for top research institutes, pharma/biotech companies.
Convenient
  • Ready to use: siRNA is manufactured as ready to use aqueous solution (40 µM siRNA duplex, 20 mM NaCl, 10 mM TrisHCl, pH 7.5)
  • Modified siRNAs on request (e.g. 2' F, 3' GalNAc)
  • Easy-to-use siRNA design tool for customized siRNAs is available in our webshop.
 
 
Cost Effective
  • Very competitive pricing
  • High guaranteed yields
Excellent Technical Support
  • Our highly experienced and well-trained scientists are happy to support you.
User-friendly Online Ordering System
  • An easy-to-use online portal, a user-friendly input mask and other helpful tools (e.g. order tracking and history, convenient search and re-order option)
 

Overview

 

siRNA (small interfering ribonucleic acid) is a type of RNA that is involved in a number of biological processes, most notably RNA interference. RNA interference is a regulatory process that is used to control and limit the expression of specific genes. While most RNA is single stranded, siRNA is made up of two complementary strands of RNA nucleotides similar to those in DNA. siRNA molecules are usually 21-25 nucleotide double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) duplexes with symmetric 2 nucleotide 3’ overhangs.

 

The RNA interference process and the biochemical machinery involved. Double-stranded RNA is cut into short pieces (siRNA) by the endonuclease dicer. The antisense strand is loaded into the RISC complex and links the complex to the mRNA strand by base-pairing. The RISC complex cuts the mRNA strand, and the mRNA is subsequently degraded.

siRNA Duplexes

 

Microsynth supplies siRNA duplexes from standard (2x21-mers) to extended length (2x27-mers) at different levels of purity and scales, depending on the intended application:

  • Desalted siRNA (for screening purposes)
  • HPLC and PAGE purified siRNA (for screening and for use in cells)  
  • In vivo animal studies (on request)

 

Product Characteristics:

Synthesis scale1
Desalted
HPLC
PAGE
OD2602
[nmol]2
OD2602
[nmol]2
[OD260] 2
[nmol]2
Genomics
on request
7
not available
not available
0.04 µmol
9
21
4
8
not available
0.2 µmol
16
35
7
16
2
5
1.0 µmol
36
84
16
45
5
11
Higher Scales
on request
Classical siRNA duplexes (2x21-mers) have unit prices; if you need longer duplexes, each additional RNA base will be priced accordingly. Modified siRNAs are available upon request.
 
1 The synthesis scale represents the initial amount of 3' bases (starting material).
2 Yields indicated represent guaranteed yields and apply to a 2x21mer; Calculation: 1 OD = ~2.5 nmol (please note that this calculation is based on sequences with virtually homogenous distribution of the 4 RNA bases)
 

Control siRNAs

 
 

Positive and negative control siRNA are an essential complement to any gene silencing experiment. Positive controls are validated siRNAs that are known to achieve high levels (>70%) of knockdown. A positive control should be used to optimize transfection and reconfirm high levels of delivery in each RNAi experiment.

Non-target universal negative controls are validated siRNAs designed to show there is no homology to any known mammalian gene. They are important for distinguishing sequence-specific silencing from non–specific effects in the RNAi experiment.

Another negative control strategy is to use scrambled siRNA that has the same nucleotide composition but does not have the same sequence as the test siRNA. However, it is often impossible to design a scrambled control that has no known target in the cells being used.

In the following table you will find a selection of siRNA controls that have been validated in numerous scientific publications.

Name Sense Strand Sequence
(5’ -3’)

Sense Strand
3’ Overhang
(5’ – 3’)

Anti-Sense Strand
3’ Overhang
(5’ – 3’)
Lamin CUGGACUUCCAGAAGAACA dTdT dTdT
GFP GCAGCACGACUUCUUCAAG dTdT dTdT
Luciferase CGUACGCGGAAUACUUCGA dTdT dTdT
Non-targeting negative control AGGUAGUGUAAUCGCCUUG dTdT dTdT
Scrambled negative control On request
 
 

As with any specific target siRNA, control siRNAs can be readily ordered in different synthesis scales and purification levels from Microsynth’s webshop.

 

siRNA Design

 
 
To help you in designing the most appropriate siRNA that targets your gene of interest, Microsynth has developed a proprietary software, and made it available in its webshop.

Microsynth’s siRNA design tool is making use of the set of guidelines that were initially provided by Boese et al [1]. The output of a design is various siRNAs that are ranked according to the Reynolds scores [2].

The siRNA sequences with the highest scores can be selected and directly ordered online.
A link to NCBI BLAST is incorporated so you can properly manage the risk of potential off-target effects of the predicted siRNA.


References:
[1] Boese Q, Leake D, Reynolds A, et al. Mechanistic insights aid computational short interfering RNA design. Methods Enzymol. 2005;392:73-96. doi:10.1016/S0076-6879(04)92005-8
[2] Reynolds, A., Leake, D., Boese, Q. et al. Rational siRNA design for RNA interference. Nat Biotechnol 22, 326–330 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt936

Figure: Microsynth's siRNA Design Tool
Specify your target sequence and, optionally, some additional parameters such as AA preceding the siRNA core sequence, the number of stretches of identical bases, the G/C content as well as further sequence restrictions (e.g. sequence areas that should be considered or not) to receive your design suggestion (highest scores on top) in a ready-to-order format.

How to Order

 

  • Enter our webshop
  • Click on siRNA in the blue “DNA/RNA Synthesis” domain
  • Select Normal Entry in order to type or copy/paste the desired sequence information etc. or alternatively select Upload Entry by using our convenient Excel template (can be downloaded during ordering )