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siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

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...

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...

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...

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...

Ribozymes

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

MISSION esiRNA for RNAi Screening in Mammalian Cells

MISSION esiRNA for RNAi Screening in Mammalian Cells

Published on: May 12, 2010

Principles of Dicer substrate (D-siRNA) design and function.

Mohammed Amarzguioui¹, John J Rossi

¹The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|March 29, 2008

Summary

Optimal design of small interfering RNA (siRNA) is crucial for efficient RNA interference (RNAi). Dicer substrates, which are processed by Dicer, show greater potency than traditional siRNAs, enhancing the RNA silencing complex assembly.

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Substrate Generation for Endonucleases of CRISPR/Cas Systems

Substrate Generation for Endonucleases of CRISPR/Cas Systems

Published on: September 8, 2012

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Gene Silencing Technologies

Background:

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful gene silencing mechanism.
The efficacy of RNAi is heavily influenced by the design of small interfering RNA (siRNA).
Recent findings indicate Dicer substrates outperform classical 21-mer siRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the principles behind optimal Dicer substrate design for enhanced RNAi.
To investigate the link between Dicer processing and RISC complex assembly.

Main Methods:

Experimental validation of Dicer substrate efficacy.
Analysis of Dicer-mediated processing pathways.
Assessment of RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) loading.

Main Results:

Dicer substrates demonstrate superior potency compared to standard 21-mer siRNAs.
A direct correlation exists between Dicer processing efficiency and RISC assembly.
Identification of key design features for optimal Dicer substrates.

Conclusions:

Optimized Dicer substrates represent a significant advancement in RNAi technology.
Leveraging Dicer processing enhances the efficiency of gene silencing.
This study provides a foundation for designing next-generation RNAi therapeutics.