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Experimental RNAi

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...

RNA Interference

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 Interference

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis

Published on: July 23, 2014

Assessing the efficiency of RNA interference for maize functional genomics.

Karen McGinnis¹, Nick Murphy, Alvar R Carlson

¹Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.

Plant Physiology

|February 20, 2007

Summary

This study developed RNA interference (RNAi) tools for maize functional genomics. Researchers optimized RNAi constructs to silence target genes, providing a framework for future crop plant research.

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Area of Science:

Plant Genomics
Molecular Biology
Biotechnology

Background:

Functional genomics in maize (Zea mays) is crucial for understanding crop development.
RNA interference (RNAi) offers a powerful tool for gene function studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish and evaluate RNA interference (RNAi) strategies for large-scale functional genomics in maize.
To assess the efficiency and reliability of RNAi constructs for gene silencing in transgenic maize lines.

Main Methods:

Development of transgenic maize lines utilizing inverted repeat constructs for RNA interference (RNAi).
Analysis of transgene transmission, gene silencing efficiency via semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and off-target effects.
Evaluation of factors influencing RNAi success, including target gene expression and construct sequence features.

Main Results:

Most RNAi transgenes were transmitted stably across generations, though some exhibited reduced transmission or silencing.
Variable gene silencing efficiencies were observed, ranging from negligible to near-complete knockdown.
RNAi constructs occasionally reduced RNA levels in closely related genes, indicating potential off-target effects.
No clear correlation was found between silencing efficiency and target gene expression or specific sequence features.

Conclusions:

The developed RNAi framework provides a valuable resource for maize functional genomics.
Optimization parameters identified in this study can guide future RNAi-based research in crop plants.
Further investigation is needed to predict and control RNAi success and specificity.