Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

RNA Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Long Non-Coding RNA Localization in Human Osteosarcoma Cells
05:27

RNA Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Long Non-Coding RNA Localization in Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Published on: June 16, 2023

siRNA in human cells selectively localizes to target RNA sites

Svitlana Y Berezhna1, Lubica Supekova, Frantisek Supek

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|May 11, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) localization in human cells depends on the target RNA

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene regulation mechanism.
  • Nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAi pathways in human cells are not fully understood.
  • Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are key mediators of RNAi.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the localization of siRNAs in live human cells.
  • To determine if siRNA localization is dependent on the target RNA's location.
  • To explore the interplay between nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAi pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Direct visualization of siRNA localization in live human cells.
  • Utilizing siRNAs targeting nuclear RNAs (7SK, U6) and cytoplasmic RNA (Hepatitis C virus replicon).
  • Monitoring siRNA strand distribution and degradation in response to target presence.

Main Results:

  • siRNAs selectively localize to the cytoplasm or nucleus based on target RNA location.
  • siRNAs targeting nuclear RNAs translocate into the nucleus as duplexes.
  • siRNAs targeting cytoplasmic RNAs show differential strand distribution and degradation.

Conclusions:

  • A target-dependent mechanism dictates siRNA localization and RNAi activity.
  • Evidence supports the formation of nuclear-programmed RNA-induced silencing complexes.
  • Suggests a coordinated interplay between nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAi pathways.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Spliceosomal snRNA Localization in Human Hela Cells Using Microinjection07:35

Analysis of Spliceosomal snRNA Localization in Human Hela Cells Using Microinjection

Published on: August 6, 2019

RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA09:36

RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA

Published on: April 10, 2018

Related Concept Videos

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing specific...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...