The use of antisense and ribozyme RNA to modulate gene expression is e
merging as an effective genetic technique. A compilation of successful
antisense gene suppression experiments reveals the absence of reports
on the use of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a host. We examin
e the field of antisense and ribozyme use in S. cerevisiae and discuss
that this result is not due to any lack of attempts and may reflect u
nique features of S. cerevisiae biology. in an attempt to learn from c
ellular RNA physiology we review evidence for naturally occurring anti
sense RNA regulation. Although there are many examples of well charact
erised overlapping RNA transcripts there is, as yet, no clear evidence
suggesting complementary RNA-dependent gene regulation in S. cerevisi
ae. The application of artificial antisense and ribozyme genes is then
discussed with an emphasis on the role of yeast as a model system for
the systematic and genetic analysis of antisense and ribozyme RNA fun
ction. In addition, potential reasons for the lack of attempts to use
antisense or ribozyme genes to create pseudogenetic mutants are consid
ered. We conclude that the application of successful antisense and rib
ozyme strategies in yeast may have to address features of S. cerevisia
e RNA biology and offer experimental approaches that may identify some
of these features.