Silencing Estrogen Receptor-β with siRNA in Cultured Cells

Estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ) are the two genomic estrogen receptors. ERβ was the second of these receptors to be discovered; its structure is similar to that of ERα but they are different in histological distribution. However, the functions of ERα versus ERβ are still unclear. The ability of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence gene expression has proven to be invaluable for studying gene function in cultured mammalian cells. This chapter describes the use of siRNA to inhibit the expression of ERβ in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to further the understanding of ERβ function in RCC.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biochemistry - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: news