Fig. 5. Comparison of the mechanistic action of ASO, siRNA and aptamer. (A) ASO has two antisense mechanisms by obstruction of target mRNA leading to cease translation and RNase mediated degradation of target mRNA. (B) siRNA mediates mRNA degradation involving Dicer and RISC complex containing Ago, RNase H like endonuclease which cleaves target mRNAs that are complementary to guide RNA. (C) Aptamer can be activated by folding into 3D structures and can bind to a variety of targets therefore achieving broad applications.
