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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

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...
Experimental RNAi02:15

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...
Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)02:30

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
09:39

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: August 21, 2014

Endogenous small interfering RNAs in animals.

Katsutomo Okamura1, Eric C Lai

  • 1Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 521 Rockefeller Research Laboratories, New York, New York 10065, USA.

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|August 23, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The discovery of endogenous small interfering RNA (endo-siRNA) pathways in fruit flies and mice reveals new insights into gene regulation. This finding suggests conserved roles for RNA interference across diverse animal species.

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Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
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Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
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Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
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Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
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Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects

Published on: May 4, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • RNA Interference

Background:

  • Previously, only nematodes possessed a well-defined endogenous small interfering RNA (endo-siRNA) pathway.
  • Recent discoveries have expanded this understanding to other animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of endo-siRNA pathways in new animal models.
  • To explore the implications of these findings for gene regulation and transposable element control.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of small RNA populations in Drosophila melanogaster and mice.
  • Identification of novel endo-siRNA substrates and biogenesis pathways.

Main Results:

  • Diverse intramolecular and intermolecular substrates generating endo-siRNAs were identified in Drosophila melanogaster and mice.
  • Evidence suggests these pathways are not unique to nematodes.

Conclusions:

  • The discovery of endo-siRNA pathways in flies and mice indicates broad and conserved roles for RNA interference in animals.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the biogenesis and functions of these small regulatory RNAs.