Although their small size allows them to more easily enter a cell, siRNAs are highly unstable and rapidly degraded in vivo. In addition, after entering the cell the constructs are one-time-use and must be continually replenished to achieve sustained knockdown.
MiniVectors™ can retain the benefits of small size while achieving RNA interference in a much more robust and persistent platform. Expression of shRNA or miRNA from a MiniVector allows silencing to continue for longer time periods since multiple copies are continually expressed from each MiniVector. In addition, since the MiniVectors lack extraneous bacterial sequences, there is a reduced risk of silencing within the cell. Finally, the small, supercoiled MiniVector format is considerably more stable, easier to handle, and resistant to serum degradation much longer than siRNA.
Benefits of the MiniVector System for RNA Interference Applications:
- Unprecedented small size
- MiniVectors as small as 250 bp can be generated
- Physiological supercoiling makes them even more compact
- Exceptional stability
- The small size, circularity and supercoiling of MiniVectors confers unprecedented resistance to the shear force encountered during delivery
- MiniVectors can resist degradation from serum exposure longer than siRNA
- Enhanced transfection efficiency
- The small and compact structure allows efficient entry into cells
- Minimized bacterial sequences reduce silencing of the construct and potential immunogenicity