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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...

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Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
10:14

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

Published on: May 4, 2018

Structural and functional modules in RNA interference.

Marcin Nowotny1, Wei Yang

  • 1Laboratory of Protein Structure, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 4 Ks. Trojdena Street, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland. mnowotny@iimcb.gov.pl

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|May 30, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

RNA interference (RNAi) utilizes small RNA molecules for gene expression regulation. Structural studies reveal the molecular mechanisms and protein complexes involved in RNAi pathways, offering insights into nucleic acid recognition and cleavage.

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Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
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Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Double-stranded RNA Oral Delivery Methods to Induce RNA Interference in Phloem and Plant-sap-feeding Hemipteran Insects
10:14

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

Published on: May 4, 2018

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus
09:57

Rearing and Double-stranded RNA-mediated Gene Knockdown in the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus

Published on: December 28, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • RNA interference (RNAi) is a key biological process for gene silencing.
  • Small RNA molecules regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
  • Recent structural studies have elucidated the components of RNAi.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functional modules and their assemblies in RNA interference (RNAi) processes.
  • To provide an overview of structural and mechanistic insights into RNAi.
  • To highlight the roles of key proteins in RNA biogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing structural studies.
  • Analysis of protein-nucleic acid complexes.
  • Examination of functional modules in RNAi.

Main Results:

  • Structural studies have revealed the molecular architecture of RNAi functional modules.
  • Mechanisms of nucleic acid recognition and cleavage by key proteins (Argonaute, PIWI, Dicer, etc.) have been elucidated.
  • An overview of RNAi processes, including protein assemblies, has emerged.

Conclusions:

  • Structural biology has significantly advanced the understanding of RNAi mechanisms.
  • Key proteins and their complexes are crucial for RNA biogenesis and gene silencing.
  • Further research will continue to refine our understanding of this complex pathway.