The current scenario of medicine needs either discoveries or new approaches with existed technologies. Antisense technology is the technique in which the segments of single-stranded DNA called oligodeoxynucleotides were developed complementary to mRNA. These nucleotides bind specifically to mRNA and inhibit the translation process of protein synthesis. The particular protein that is essential for the growth or multiplication of the organism will be inhibited. There are various strategies of antisense technologies, out of which the siRNA, commonly known as Silencing RNAs operate with RNA interference pathways. Oligo nucleotides will act so that it recognizes the target gene which is specific for gene expression of a particular protein.
The modified nucleotide has more advantages that provide more affinity, stability towards the target, and low toxicity. This approach is currently applied in the generation of drug molecules against the COVID 19 viral infection.
Antisense technology in drug discovery
The anti-sense technology is useful in rational drug discovery and determining the specific target against a particular disease. SiRNA proved to be a highly efficient tool in the field of genetics. This technique was applied earlier in the drug discovery to treat diseases like AIDS, hyperlipidemia, and Cancer. The first oligonucleotide drug was approved in the year 1998. Novartis Pharmaceuticals developed the drug Vitravene (Fomiversen) used to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis, an opportunistic infection affecting HIV patients.
The anti-sense technology also has application in other fields than medicine, such as in agriculture, in the genetic application of ripening of fruits, modification of flower colors, and veterinary practice for the improvement in milk production. It plays an important role in biotic stress resistance and abiotic stress tolerance.
Antisense technology in Agriculture
Antisense technology is used to produce disease-resistant varieties, fruit maturity inhibition, male sterility, nutrient-enriched plants, and fertility. In the field of agriculture, RNAi is mostly used compared to sRNA technology. It helps improve crop production by suppressing or eliminating the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of adverse substances in food.
The recent approaches in controlling insect pest resistance mostly depend on the expression of proteins such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The combination of Bt technology and as an independent mode of pest control through RNAi would raise the performance of the product and gives extra protection against the incidence of resistance to insecticidal proteins.
The frequency of usage of antisense technology is also dependent on the advancement in biotechnology. To excel the unforeseen effects in the antisense technology, we have to comply with the criteria’s such as extremely targeted, tissue-specific RNAi vectors can be used and maintain a lower effective number of siRNA and dsRNA.
The application of Medicinal chemistry in optimizing Antisense technology by concentrating the chemical structure of the oligonucleotide drugs, the stability, penetration capability, drug binding strength, and specificity have been improved.
No doubt that the scientists who were in the investigation of identifying the drug molecules against the specific targets, the Antisense technology open its gateways.
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