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Abstract

Antisense techniques, especially those using short unmodified or modified oligonucleotides, are now proving useful in many experimental systems. Their usefulness derives from the ability to rapidly and reversibly apply the simplicity and specificity of molecular sequence information to analyzing the complex cellular milieu. In theory, any protein, if a portion of its transcript sequence is known, can be specifically targeted for down-regulation, even if other very similar proteins, subtypes, or splice variants are expressed. Early preclinical studies on the role of antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutics are also underway. Interestingly, the CNS may be particularly amenable to the use of antisense techniques. This Update briefly presents antisense theory and techniques, illustrating them with an example from our own laboratory—using antisense oligonucleotides to probe the role of cAMP response element binding protein in drug-induced neuronal plasticity. The Neuroscientist 2:79-82, 1996

Keywords

KEY WORDS Antisense Oligonucleotides Neuroscience CNS CREB

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Antisense Oligonucleotides: New Tools for the Study of Brain Function

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