Antisense oligonucleotides
refer to short, synthetic oligonucleotides which are complementary in sequence and upon specific hybridization to its cognate gene product induces inhibition of gene expression. The driving force for the search for novel chemical modification groups compatible with Watson-crick hybridization of oligonucleotide with phosphodiester bonds. Antisense technology focuses on defeating diseases before the proteins which cause them can even be formed. Endocytosis:Natural oligonucleotides can accumulate over a period of three-four hours with in the cells. Most likely these natural oligonucleotides enter the cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis. This is the easiest route for oligonucleotides to enter the cell. Micro injection is when the oligonucleotides are injected in to each cell individually. This process is very effective at getting the oliginucleotides into the cells, but, unfortunately it can only be performed on approximately 100 cells per day. Liposome encapsulation is currently the most efficient method of delivering the oligonucleotides to the cells. Some of the more well-known proteins currently being targeted with antisense agents in development are Bcl-2, H-ras, PKC-alpha, protein kinase A, Insulin-like growth factor, DNA Methyl Transferase .,etc. Currently research efforts in antisense strategies are aimed at understanding the degree of involvement of single genes, or combinations of genes, in the course of diseases. The purpose of this important area of research is to isolate the most critical targets and identify the feasibility of using genes as targets for therapeutic purposes. Antisense technology focuses on defeating diseases before the proteins which cause them can even be formed. Endocytosis:Natural oligonucleotides can accumulate over a period of three-four hours with in the cells. Most likely these natural oligonucleotides enter the cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis. This is the easiest route for oligonucleotides to enter the cell. Micro injection is when the oligonucleotides are injected in to each cell individually. This process is very effective at getting the oliginucleotides into the cells, but, unfortunately it can only be performed on approximately 100 cells per day. Liposome encapsulation is currently the most efficient method of delivering the oligonucleotides to the cells. Some of the more well-known proteins currently being targeted with antisense agents in development are Bcl-2, H-ras, PKC-alpha, protein kinase A, Insulin-like growth factor, DNA Methyl Transferase .,etc. Currently research efforts in antisense strategies are aimed at understanding the degree of involvement of single genes, or combinations of genes, in the course of diseases. The purpose of this important area of research is to isolate the most critical targets and identify the feasibility of using genes as targets for therapeutic purposes.