Antisense oligonucleotides are relatively short stretches of

Antisense oligonucleotides are relatively short stretches of nucleotides (usually about 20 nucleotides long) that are likely to bind with sense RNAs in a given cell. Of what importance might such a material have in human health?

Solution

Antisense oligonucleotides are short streches of nucleotides which binds with sense RNAs in a given cell. Antisense oligonucleotides are used in gene therapy. Suppose, for example, if a particluar genetic sequence causes particular disease, an oligonucleotide can be synthesized which will bind to the mRNA coded by the sequence. The binding of the Antisense oligonucleotide to the mRNA causes inactivation which ultimately shuts the gene off.