Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides have been proposed as agents for cancer-directed gene therapy. When delivered intracellularly, antisense molecules act to block which of the following?

b. Translation

Many strategies for oncogene-directed cancer gene therapy involve the use of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. Instead of engineering a virus or other gene delivery vehicle, a piece of DNA is inserted which is complementary to messenger RNA molecules. The antisense molecules bind to the sense mRNAs so that mRNA translation cannot occur. Should the bound mRNA subsequently escape its antisense partner, translation could proceed. Antisense molecules are essentially drugs which do not require virus-mediated gene transfer. The oligonucleotides can be made resistant to nuclease degradation.