Mission Synthetic and Lentiviral microRNA inhibitors are based on the tough decoy (TuD) design for the long-term suppression of any miRNA endogenous to humans or mice. Custom designs for other species are available upon request. Each microRNA inhibitor is designed using a proprietary algorithm that evaluates all possible sequences for the design predicted to best maintain the TuD structure, providing maximal miRNA recognition and binding. Naturally occurring miRNAs inhibit translation of a large percentage of mRNAs encoding human proteins and play pivotal roles in oncogenesis, development, cell differentiation, and immune responses.
In contrast to current approaches that use single-stranded RNAs, such as sponge decoys and locked nucleic acids, TuD RNAs are double-stranded. This, along with a stem-loop stabilized secondary structure, resists cellular nuclease degradation and facilitates sustained miRNA inhibition for longer than one month. In addition, both strands of a TuD RNA contain a miRNA binding site for more efficient sequestration of target miRNAs at lower, nanomolar concentrations.
The inhibitors were released through an exclusive collaboration with Drs. Hideo Iba and Takeshi Haraguchi at the Universityof Tokyo. Sigma-Aldrich
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