Gene knockdown is a technique that enables interim inactivation of genes. In this method, the mRNA is deactivated using interfering RNA (RNAi). These snRNA and SiRNA form the duplex with target mRNA, resulting in its degradation by the DICER and RISC complex. A recent knockout gene study was performed to find the effect of the Xirp 2 gene in Brugada and SUNDS syndrome.

Xirp2 knockout mice were created, and the study revealed the role of Xirp2 in cardiac function. Gene Knockout permanently deletes the gene from the genome by introducing frameshift or nonsense mutation. This alters the genetic code resulting in alteration in the expression of the genome. Recently knockout mice have been used to study the effect of genes on human health.

Gene Knockout Definition

Gene knockout is an irreversible biotechnological method to make genes nonfunctional in an organism. The organisms in which one or more genes are removed are called knockout organisms. These organisms are vital genetic models to screen for the effect of certain genes on human health. They play important roles in the drug development process; study the effect of lethal genes and important biological concepts. Gene knock-out methods are a reverse process to annotate genes whose function is unknown.

Gene Knockout Technology

The best method to create a knockout organism is the homologous recombination method. This technique erases a single gene without altering the functioning of another gene present in an organism.

Homologous Recombination Method

The exchange of genetic material between sister chromatids is called homologous recombination.
It is the most widely traditional method used for knocking out genes.
A novel DNA segment with a selectable marker gene is constructed in vitro. The new DNA construct must have a 2 Kb homology with the target gene that has to be eliminated.
The DNA construct is incorporated into embryonic stem cells isolated from the blastocyst of the model organism by using the microinjection or electroporation method.
Homologous recombination event is a default mechanism occurring in all the cells. The crossing-over event will occur between the new DNA construct and the target gene.
The target genes get exchanged by marker genes flanked by homologous sequence bringing about loss of function.
The transformed stem cells are screened from untransformed ones and can be delivered to early embryos.
The efficiency of homologous recombination is less (10^-2 to 10^-3) several new methods are devised to bring about gene knockout.

Gene Knockout by Homologous Recombination

Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ): It is a repair mechanism that can seal double-strand breaks in DNA without the need for a homologous template. During this ligation process, NHEJ integrates small insertions or deletions at the breakpoints. This leads to frameshift disrupting gene function.
Zinc-Fingers: These are restriction endonucleases integrated with specific binding domains. These recognise the desired codon or segment of DNA and bind to the target site. Binding is coupled with endonucleases activity which breaks the double strands of DNA. The repair mechanism mutates the target DNA sequence creating a loss of function.
CRISPR: It means clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. In this technique, the Cas enzyme cuts the target DNA at a specific site. Cas is integrated with RNA – guided endonuclease activity.

The guide RNA is constructed in accordance with the target gene for specific recognition. Once the target gene is identified, the Cas 9 enzyme cleaves the double-stranded DNA. The repair mechanism creates insertion and deletion, altering the gene function. This destructs the target gene and makes it non-functional.

Gene Knock Down

It is a molecular biological technique to suppress gene expression. This is done at the transcriptional level by modifying the mRNA sequences. Gene knockdown is a temporary method to decrease the activity of genes. As mRNA is alerted, the genomes of the organism do not get affected.

Gene Knock Down Technologies

RNA Interference: It is a technique to suppress or silence a gene by degrading its transcriptional mRNA. Small double-stranded siRNA (small interfering RNA) are inserted exogenously into the target cell. The sequence siRNA is designed complementary to the target mRNA. This results in the formation of double-stranded mRNA, which is then degraded by RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) and has ribonuclease activity. Thus, resulting in the suppression of genes.

Knockdown by RNA Pathway

DNA-Based RNA Interference: In this technique, antisense oligonucleotides are constructed. These are 15 to 20 base long DNA sequences designed in antisense orientation to the target mRNA.
CRISPR Cas 13 Enzymes: This is generally used as gene knockout technology. In this method, rather than using Cas 9 enzyme, which targets DNA, Cas 13 enzymes are used. This enzyme directly targets RNA and degrades them. Using Cas 13 enzymes in cellular machinery will degrade mRNA, but the host DNA remains intact.

Differences Between Gene Knockout and Gene Knockdown

Gene Knockout	Gene Knockdown
It is an irreversible process that deletes the gene permanently	It is a temporary process where gene activity is suppressed.
Nonsense mutations are created by using homologous recombination, Crisper	It is done at a transcriptional level where mRNA has degraded
The products of gene knockout result in the creation of a new organism with an altogether new character.	It results in the creation of a transgenic organism where gene activity is suppressed, and no new character is observed.

Interesting Facts

The year 2013 is considered after the CRISPR era and is the most recent endonuclease-based genetic engineering tool.
With the use of CAS enzymes, gene editing pigs are considered as best models for research in human disease and are potent models for xenotransplantation.
With help of new gene editing methods, it is easy to induce point mutations in the porcine genome of pigs that encodes for xenoantigen and are a recent model to understand human disease mutation.

Important Questions

1. Explain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

Ans: Genetically modified organisms are engineered organisms created in the laboratory. expressing desired characteristics. GMOs are created using recombinant DNA technology. Example - Dolly, Bt cotton, etc.

2. Explain RNA interference Mechanism.

Ans: It is a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism to control gene activity. The siRNA shows homology with mRNA and thus forms a DICER complex which cleaves the mRNA, thereby stopping translation.

Key Features

Gene knockout erases the gene permanently in an organism. This technique is used for drug discovery, understanding the gene effect, etc.
Gene knockdown suppresses the activity of genes at the transcriptional level.

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FAQs on Difference Between Gene Knockout and Knockdown

1. Define gene knock out and knock in.

Gene knockout is a technique to delete the gene from the genome of the target organism. The gene becomes nonfunctional by creating nonsense or frame-shift mutation. Gene Knockin refers to inserting novel genes without altering the original genes.

2. What happens if a gene is knocked out of an adult?

Gene knockouts are generally done in the laboratory on model organisms (mice) to study the effect of genes. If a gene is deleted from an adult, its mRNA will not be transcribed, hence can have a deleterious effect on the body.

3. What are the disadvantages of an RNAi knockdown?

RNA knockdown has low efficiency as they can create off targets meaning they can silence other mRNA resulting in a deleterious effect. Competition with endogenous RNA also results in the triggering of innate immunological responses.