FlexiTube siRNA

 FlexiTube siRNA is available for human, mouse and rat genes at 5 nmol and 20 nmol scale. FlexiTube GeneSolution and FlexiTube siRNA at 1 nmol scale are available for human and mouse genes only

Yes, sequence information for FlexiTube is provided both for HP GenomeWide siRNAs and HP Validated siRNAs, in the enclosed paper documentation upon delivery.

No, FlexiTube siRNA and FlexiTube GeneSolution products are only shipped lyophilized at room temperature. We do not offer these products in a different format.

Some siRNAs have been deleted from our standard GeneGlobe offering. For those siRNAs, the entries in public databases may have changed and the transcript is no longer listed in those databases. In other cases, we have added siRNAs with a new design.

You can still find previously listed siRNAs in GeneGlobe by searching for the specific SI number (ordering number). See also FAQ 1366 on this topic.

This decision is based on two key factors – the “transfectability” of the target cells, and the desired duration of the experiment.

siRNA molecules work well for high throughput, transient studies, with cells that are easily transfected. The limitations of using siRNA are two-fold. First of all, they do not work well with a few cell types that are extremely difficult to transfect. In addition, their use is restricted to experiments studying the impact of transient suppression of gene expression.

shRNA are carried within the context of a plasmid or viral-based vector, they can be engineered to carry a reporter gene. A reporter gene provides a straightforward readout, for carrying out transfection optimization studies. In addition, a fluorescent reporter gene (such as GFP) allows the use of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to enrich for transfected cells. Alternatively, the vector may carry an antibiotic-resistance gene, which permits the selection of a stably transfected cell population. Another obvious advantage to using a vector-based shRNA construct is that it provides a renewable source of reagent for subsequent RNAi studies.

The key benefit of using viral-based shRNA delivery vectors is that they can efficiently deliver the shRNA into cells that are difficult (or impossible) to transfect. Additionally, viral transduction is a much more efficient process than transfection.

HiPerFect Transfection Reagent is optimized for siRNA transfections and enables effective siRNA uptake and efficient release of siRNA inside cells, resulting in high gene knockdown even when using low siRNA concentrations. For high-throughput siRNA screenings HiPerFect HTS Reagent is a fast and effective newcomer specifically designed to focus on robustness and cost efficiency. For the transfection of shRNA.

Attractene Transfection Reagent should be used for the transfection of shRNA (short-hairpin RNA) vectors for gene silencing experiments to achieve high efficiency. Ease and flexibility of handling enables preparation and storage of transfection complexes making Attractene Reagent suitable for use with automated systems.

http://www.sabiosciences.com/reversetransfection.php

The siRNA sequences are the same.  With FlexiTube siRNA 1 nmol scale, minimum 4 siRNAs required. It can be any human or mouse, any target, 4  different siRNAs, or the same siRNA.   Whereas 1 nmol FlexiTube GeneSolution is a gene-specific package of 4 pre-selected siRNAs for the same target. 

Cells transfected with Alexa-Fluor labeled siRNA still show detectable fluorescence 72 hours after transfection. Certain Alexa dyes, e.g. Alexa Fluor 546, are detectable up to one week after transfection. By comparison, when labeling siRNA with Rhodamine or Fluorescein, transfected cells should be monitored for transfection efficiency after 3-4 hours.

Since Alexa Fluor dyes are more photostable, more resistant to variable pH conditions while in transit through the cell, and much brighter than traditionally used fluorescent dyes, Alexa Fluor labeled HPP Grade siRNA is the ideal choice for monitoring transfection efficiency.

For data and additional details on using fluorescently labeled siRNA, refer to QIAGEN News article e20, 2004: 'Alexa Fluor labeled siRNA is highly effective for monitoring transfection efficiency'.

QIAGEN siRNA is delivered as a stable, ready-to-use duplex and does not need to be deprotected, desalted, quantified, or annealed before use. Simply resuspend the lyophilized RNA in the sterile RNAse-free water provided and transfect. Instructions for preparing your siRNA are provided on the data sheet supplied with each siRNA shipment.

FlexiTube siRNA, FlexiTube GeneSolution, FlexiTube siRNA Premix, FlexiPlate siRNA, and GeneFamily Lists siRNAs can be ordered by catalog number over the telephone.

However, to ensure accuracy, Custom siRNA Synthesis orders should be submitted in writing. Therefore you can use the HP Custom siRNA Order Form https://www.qiagen.com/products/genesilencing/customsirna/customsirnaorder.aspx?EmailOrdering=1.

Visit the RNAi Solutions page http://www.qiagen.com/products/rnai/default.aspx?r=2714 on our homepage for access to the Online Ordering Tool, and choose the order link for your product of interest.

Here are examples of references that describe the inhibition of gene expression by siRNA in Xenopus and Zebrafish:

• Wargelius A, Ellingsen S, Fjose A. Double-stranded RNA induces specific developmental defects in zebrafish embryos.  Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Sep 16; 263(1): 156-61
• Zhou Y, Ching YP, Kok KH, Kung HF, Jin DY. Post-transcriptional suppression of gene expression in Xenopus embryos by small interfering RNA.  Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 Apr 1; 30(7): 1664-9
• Zhao, Y Cao, M Li, and A Meng Double-stranded RNA injection produces nonspecific defects in zebrafish. Dev Biol, Jan 2001; 229(1): 215-23."

Yes, Northern Blot Analysis has been shown in the literature to detect siRNA-induced reduction of specific mRNA. Whether a Northern Blot will be sensitive enough to detect a mRNA under investigation mainly depends on the expression level of the respective gene in the untreated control.

You can find an example for this application in the reference "Specific inhibition of gene expression by small double-stranded RNAs in invertebrate and vertebrate systems". Caplen et al., PNAS 2001, vol. 98, no. 17, pages 9742-9747.

We recommend to perform real-time RT-PCR for exact quantification of mRNA expression levels.

Please find a detailed description for the calculation of the silencing effect in QIAGEN News article 2006 e14 'Real-time RT-PCR for analysis of gene knockdown by RNAi - controls and calculations'.

For the fixation of cells transfected with fluorescently labeled siRNA, we would suggest to perform the following protocol:

1. After transfection, remove the medium from the cells and wash the cells once with PBS.
2. Incubate the cells for 15 minutes at room temperature with 4% Paraformaldehyde (in PBS, pH 7.0). The cells should be completely covered by this solution (e.g., for a 96-well plate use 50 µl solution/well)
3. Wash the cells with PBS.

Fixed cells can be stored at 4°C for a few days.

(Note: It is also possible to use chamber slides or object slides for this procedure. Object slides should be coated to provide better growing conditions for cells. Cells can be fixed as described above and then overlayed with embedding medium to allow investigation using a fluorescence microscope. Optimal conditions for this method need to be determined by the user)

Yes. Please see the QIAGEN News Article (2005 e3) "RNAi - a promising tool for target validation studies and therapeutics" to learn about the most recent advances in this field. It provides numerous references for the aspects of in vivo siRNA delivery and siRNA stability as well as in vivo RNAi in general. QIAGEN offers economical, high-purity siRNA compatible with in vivo animal delivery systems for reliable World-class RNAi solutions.

You will receive the sequences of the FlexiTube siRNAs on the data sheet along with your order.

A graphic representation of the position of HP GenomeWide siRNAs along the target sequence is available for numerous genes on our website. It can be accessed via GeneGlobe after pulling up the target gene of interest, clicking on the 'Gene Symbol' link for the species of interest, and then clicking the link under 'Product name' for details on the gene product of interest.