Genes, Vol. 13, Pages 319: The siRNA Off-Target Effect Is Determined by Base-Pairing Stabilities of Two Different Regions with Opposite Effects

In this study, we investigated the most responsible region for the off-target effect by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the thermodynamic properties of all possible siRNA subregions that involved a machine learning technique using a random sampling procedure. As a result, the thermodynamic stability of nucleotides 2–5 showed the highest positive correlation with the off-target effect, and nucleotides 8–14 showed the most negative correlation. Thus, it is revealed that the siRNA off-target effect is determined by the base-pairing stabilities of two different subregions with opposite effects.
Source: Genes - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research