DNA methylation profiling Gene specific profiling Mouse muscle stem cells

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Get tips on using REALTOTAL RNA Spin Plus to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - primary human aortic smooth muscle cells

Short hairpin or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is artificial RNA, which has a hairpin loop structure, and uses inherent microRNA (miRNA) machinery to silence target gene expression. This is called RNA interference (RNAi). These can be delivered via plasmids or viral/bacterial vectors. Challenges in shRNA-mediated gene silencing include: 1. Off-target silencing, 2. Packaging shRNA encoding lentivirus, and 3. Stable transduction in cells. RNAi have been designed to have anywhere from 19-27 bs, but the most effective design has 19 bp. In case commercial shRNAs are not available, potential target sites can be chosen within exon, 5’- or 3’ UTR, depending on which splice variants of the gene are desired. One should use the latest algorithms and choose at least two different sequences, targeting different regions, in order to have confidence in overcoming off-target effects. A BLAST search after selecting potential design will eliminate potential off-target sequences. For the second challenge, sequencing the vector using primers for either strand (50-100 bp upstream) is suggested, along with using enzymatic digestion on agarose gel for the vector. Next, once the shRNA-containing vector is packaged in a virus, it is important to check the viral titer before transduction. Finally, using a marker in the lentiviral vector (fluorescent protein or antibiotic resistance), along with qPCR for target gene expression can help in determining efficacy of transduction and shRNA on its target site.