In search of antisense.

In recent years, natural antisense transcripts (NATs) have been implicated in many aspects of eukaryotic gene expression including genomic imprinting, RNA interference, translational regulation, alternative splicing, X-inactivation and RNA editing. Moreover, there is growing evidence to suggest that antisense transcription might have a key role in a range of human diseases. Consequently, there have been several recent attempts to identify novel NATs. To date, approximately 2500 mammalian NATs have been found, indicating that antisense transcription might be a common mechanism of regulating gene expression in human cells. There are increasingly diverse ways in which antisense transcription can regulate gene expression and evidence for the involvement of NATs in human disease is emerging. A range of bioinformatic resources could be used to assist future antisense research.