Abstract: RNA interference(RNAi) is a post-transcriptional gene silencing induced by introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)。RNAi is achieved through incising by nucleic acid into small inference RNA of 21~23 nt by dsRNA, which is called siRNA, and is recognized and targeting incises the homologous mRNA molecular. RNAi needs various protein factors as well as ATP to participate in. It posesses the character of biocatalyzing, high efficiency and speciality. It has provided a fast and easy way for the study of the gene function as a new technology of shutting down fixed gene, which has an optimistic foreground in the post-genome time. 

Key words: RNAi; dsRNA; gene silence