Multivalent RNA definition
Multivalent RNA means a polynucleotide complex composed of at least three polynucleotides, wherein each polynucleotide is hybridized, along all or part of its length, to at least two of the other polynucleotides of the complex and wherein one or more of the polynucleotides optionally includes a targeting region that is capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid sequence. Each polynucleotide can be, for example, from 10 to 60 nucleotides in length. The targeting region(s) within a polynucleotide can be capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid sequence that is the same or different than the target nucleic acid sequence(s) to which the targeting region(s) of the other polynucleotides of the complex hybridize. A Multivalent RNA may be synthesized in vitro (e.g., by chemical synthesis) or, for example, it may be processed from a precursor within a living cell. For example, a precursor can be a linear polynucleotide that includes each of the polynucleotides of the Multivalent RNA, which is introduced into a living cell and is cleaved therein to form a Multivalent RNA. The term “Multivalent RNA” includes such a precursor that is intended to be cleaved inside a living cell. The term “Multivalent RNA” also encompasses, by way of example, the tripartite polynucleotide complexes described, specifically or generically, in the published international patent application having international application number PCT/US2010/036962. For greater certainty, “Multivalent RNA” does not include siRNA or ▇▇▇▇▇.