What is RNA interference?
RNA interference (RNAi) is a relatively new technique to study mammalian gene expression. RNAi is an important process to regulate the activity of genes. It is used by many different organisms to silence gene expression by using double-stranded RNAs.
Cells can trim double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to form small inhibitory RNA (siRNA). An siRNA can be processed to the single strand anti-sense RNA and used to target mRNAs for destruction. For efficient RNA interference, several proteins (colored ovals) are required. The protein-containing complex was named "RNA-induced silencing complex", RISC.
References
- RNAi Database sample wiki. (n.d.). - DolceraWiki. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.dolcera.com/wiki/index.php?title=RNAi_Database_sample_wiki
- RNAi Overview. (n.d.). RNA Interference Overview. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.lifetechnologies.com/us/en/home/life-science/rnai/rna-interference-overview.html
- RNA interference. (n.d.). - Wikiversity. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/RNA_interference
- RNA interference (RNAi): by Nature Video. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK-OGB1_ELE