Title: Properties of the SID-1 double-stranded RNA channel
Description: The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) transport protein SID-1 enables systemic RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans by transport of silencing information between cells. My thesis work shows that SID-1 is selectively and reversibly activated by and transports dsRNA of any length, including short-interfering RNA (siRNA). Genetic analysis in C. elegans shows that sid-1 is required for both import and export of silencing signals, indicating that dsRNA SID-1 is bidirectional. Electrophysiological measurements and transport assays demonstrate that SID-1 is selectively and reversibly activated by and transports nucleic acids that contain dsRNA structures; the addition of single stranded regions to dsRNA does not prevent activation or transport but the lack of any dsRNA results in the failure of both. Retention of SID-1-imported dsRNA in Drosophila S2 cells requires the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC); this retention is independent of its dsRNA processing activity. Biochemical assays show that SID-1-dependent dsRNA import is rapid and concentration dependent and concordant with these results, shorter dsRNA molecules accumulate intracellularly more rapidly than longer dsRNAs, indicating that SID-1 possesses transport properties consistent with passive diffusion through a channel. Because SID-1 homologs are present in all vertebrates and function in dsRNA transport in human cells, these results have implications for the mechanism of SID-1 function, regulation of dsRNA transport in animals, and the design of therapeutic siRNAs.