Abstract:

In the bacteriophage phi29, a virus-encoded RNA(pRNA) is required for the packaging of its genomic DNA. Six pRNAs form a hexamer through pRNA/pRNA interaction to drive the DNA translocation motor, and ATP as the energy resource. Chimeric pRNAs can steadily combine with siRNA, ribozymes and anti-sense RNA, and then be transferred into the cancer cells and viral-infected cells by RNA nanotechnology. The continued study of pRNA will help us to understand the origin of the life and explore its possible applications.