Background
We are developing an alternative approach to siRNA, which may be designated as siDNA, small interfering DNA, by using hairpin-loop-structured DNA oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN), targeted to viral or cellular mRNAs. ODNs activate the viral RNase H in retroviral particles and cellular RNases H inside the cell. Also Ago2 may play a role. Other inhibitory mechanisms such as translational arrest may contribute.