Inhibition of Oncogene Expression Using Vector-Generated RNA Antisense

Antisense RNA expression vectors have been developed relatively recently as a means to study the role of specific oncogenes in malignant transformation. In this paper, strategies for the construction of antisense plasmid vectors from commercially available reagents are described. Techniques for the introduction of these vectors into cell lines and tumors are also described and preferred methods for the evaluation of biological effects are presented. Lastly, using specific examples, the limitations and potential artifacts associated with antisense vector use in the study of tumorigenesis are discussed.