<i>N</i>⁶-methyl adenosine in siRNA evades immune response without reducing RNAi activity

Abstract

siRNA is a powerful method to suppress specific gene expression and has recently been utilized for molecular biology as well as medicine. However, introduction of dsRNA stimulates immune-responses as side-effects. In the present study, we utilized <i>N</i>⁶-methyl adenosine, one of the natural modified nucleosides, instead of adenosine in siRNA. When adenosine in the passenger or guide strand of siRNA was completely replaced with <i>N</i>⁶-methyl adenosine, the immune response against siRNA was evaded without any reduction in RNAi activity. This knowledge will promote the medical application of siRNA and enhance our understanding on cellular discrimination of non-self and self dsRNA.