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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...

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...

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

RNA Blot Analysis for the Detection and Quantification of Plant MicroRNAs

RNA Blot Analysis for the Detection and Quantification of Plant MicroRNAs

Published on: July 11, 2020

Big impacts by small RNAs in plant development.

George Chuck¹, Héctor Candela, Sarah Hake

¹Plant Gene Expression Center, United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service and the University of California, Albany, CA 94710, USA. gchuck@nature.berkeley.edu

Current Opinion in Plant Biology

|November 5, 2008

Summary

Small RNAs, like microRNAs (miRNAs) and trans-acting small interfering RNAs (tasiRNAs), regulate gene expression and plant development. Research reveals their widespread roles and potential long-distance transport, with some species-specific differences.

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

RNA Blot Analysis for the Detection and Quantification of Plant MicroRNAs

RNA Blot Analysis for the Detection and Quantification of Plant MicroRNAs

Published on: July 11, 2020

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

Screening and Identification of RNA Silencing Suppressors from Secreted Effectors of Plant Pathogens

Screening and Identification of RNA Silencing Suppressors from Secreted Effectors of Plant Pathogens

Published on: February 3, 2020

Area of Science:

Plant Biology
Molecular Biology
Genetics

Background:

Small RNAs, including miRNAs and tasiRNAs, are crucial regulators of gene expression in plants.
They influence diverse developmental processes across all major plant structures.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the expanded roles of small RNAs in plant development.
To investigate the biogenesis and function of small RNAs using mutant studies.
To examine the cell autonomy and transport of small RNAs.

Main Methods:

Analysis of small RNA pathways in plant development.
Study of plant mutants with altered developmental phenotypes.
Comparative analysis across different plant species.

Main Results:

Small RNAs have significant roles in regulating meristems, leaves, roots, and inflorescences.
Mutant studies have elucidated small RNA biogenesis and action.
Evidence suggests long-distance transport of small RNAs, challenging cell autonomy models.
Conservation of small RNA function across species, with notable differences between monocots and dicots.

Conclusions:

Small RNAs are key players in complex plant developmental pathways.
Understanding small RNA transport and species-specific functions is vital for a complete picture of plant evolution and development.