Download Top Ten Ways to Ensure Valid RNAi Data

Top Ten Ways to Ensure Valid RNAi Data
1. Confirm Results With a Second or Third siRNA to the Same
Target
2. Allow for At Least 2 Nucleotide Mismatches With All OffTarget Genes
3. Titrate your siRNA
4. Choose a Highly Effective siRNA Sequence
5. Use a Scrambled siRNA Control
6. When Using siRNA Populations, Confirm Results with
Individual siRNAs
7. Monitor the Antiviral Response
8. Rescue the RNAi Effect by Expressing an “siRNA-resistant”
Form of the Gene
9. Examine Global Changes in Gene Expression
10. Monitor Both mRNA and Protein Levels
Confirm Results With a Second or Third
siRNA to the Same Target
One of the best ways to increase confidence in data from siRNA experiments is to
independently use two or more siRNAs to a single target gene. Different siRNAs to the same
gene with comparable gene silencing efficacy should induce similar changes in gene
expression profiles or phenotypes. Any changes induced by one siRNA and not the other(s)
may be attributed to off-target effects.
Allow for At Least 2 Nucleotide Mismatches With
All Off-Target Genes
The rules for siRNA specificity are not yet fully defined. Some reports suggest that even a
single nucleotide mismatch in the middle of an siRNA can abolish its activity [1,2]. In
contrast, another report indicates that siRNAs can silence non-target genes containing as few
as 14–15 consecutive complementary nucleotides [3]. Therefore, until we reach a better
understanding of siRNA specificity, it is best to allow for at least 2 nucleotide mismatches
between an siRNA and all closely related nontarget genes. The algorithm developed by Cenix
Bioscience, and used in Ambion's validated and pre-designed siRNAs, incorporates a
stringent specificity check.
Titrate your siRNA
Nonspecific silencing effects may be seen when an siRNA is transfected into cells at
concentrations of 100 nM or higher [3-5]. However, this non-specific effect is mitigated
when siRNAs are used at lower concentrations (<30 nM). To ensure target specificity,
therefore, it is best to titrate the siRNA and use it at its lowest effective concentration.
Choose a Highly Effective siRNA Sequence
Using highly effective siRNAs will maximize target mRNA reduction and minimize the
possibility of off-target effects by allowing the use of lower siRNA concentrations in the
RNAi experiments. The algorithm developed by Cenix Bioscience, and available from
Ambion for siRNA design, accurately predicts potent siRNA sequences.
Use a Scrambled siRNA Control
A scrambled sequence should be used to discount any changes to the gene expression profile
that may result from the siRNA delivery method. To serve as a negative control, it is best to
ensure that the scrambled siRNA is not complementary to any gene in the target organism.
When Using siRNA Populations, Confirm Results
with Individual siRNAs
Because silencing can be virtually guaranteed with siRNA populations (e.g., siRNA cocktails
generated by RNase III/Dicer digestion of long dsRNAs), they are sometimes used to mediate
gene silencing [6,7]. Although useful for screening purposes, siRNA cocktails may
theoretically increase the chances of off-target effects. The results of RNAi experiments
performed with siRNA populations, therefore, should be confirmed by using individual
siRNAs.
Monitor the Antiviral Response
Recent evidence indicates that upregulation of the antiviral response may be a useful
indicator of nonspecific siRNA effects. The most comprehensive way to monitor the antiviral
response is with genome-wide arrays. However, this may be expensive or impractical in
many cases. Several simple assays have been developed to monitor the interferon response.
These include analyzing the upregulation of 2′5′ oligoadenylate synthetase, STAT1 mRNA,
and activation of RNase L [9].
Rescue the RNAi Effect by Expressing an “siRNAresistant” Form of the Gene
A recent editorial in Nature Cell Biology suggests that the “ultimate control” for siRNA
experiments is rescue of the RNAi effect by expression of an siRNA-resistant form of the
gene [8]. The ‘siRNA-resistant’ gene is defined as one that contains a silent mutation in the 3′
nucleotide of a codon in the middle of the siRNA binding site.
Examine Global Changes in Gene Expression
The specificity of an siRNA can only be definitively determined by looking at global changes
in gene expression pattern (i.e., by using DNA microarrays). In these experiments, multiple
siRNAs targeting a particular gene should give rise to ‘gene-specific’ changes in expression
profiles. Off-target effects, on the other hand, will be seen as ‘siRNA-specific’ rather than
gene-specific changes in gene expression patterns [3,4,9,10].
Monitor Both mRNA and Protein Levels
In siRNA experiments it may be beneficial to monitor both mRNA and protein levels for
several reasons. For instance, mRNA reduction seen without a corresponding reduction in
protein levels indicates that protein turnover is slow. Protein reduction in the absence of
mRNA reduction, however, may indicate that an siRNA is mediating its effects at the
translation level like a microRNA [11].
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