Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
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...
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Editorial: Plant Epigenetics and Climate Change.

Frontiers in plant science·2022
Same author

DNA methylation in Marchantia polymorpha.

The New phytologist·2019
Same author

Transcriptional landscapes of Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).

Developmental biology·2018
See all related articles
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
14:43

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

Published on: July 23, 2014

Paramutation in maize: RNA mediated trans-generational gene silencing.

Mario Alberto Arteaga-Vazquez1, Vicki Lynn Chandler

  • 1BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, United States. marteaga@cals.arizona.edu

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|February 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Paramutation is a gene regulation phenomenon where alleles interact to create heritable expression states. While often linked to RNA interference, some aspects remain unexplained by current models.

More Related Videos

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes
10:28

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes

Published on: February 14, 2020

Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing (VbMS) In Potato.
11:51

Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing (VbMS) In Potato.

Published on: May 11, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
14:43

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

Published on: July 23, 2014

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes
10:28

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes

Published on: February 14, 2020

Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing (VbMS) In Potato.
11:51

Potato Virus X-Based microRNA Silencing (VbMS) In Potato.

Published on: May 11, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Paramutation, first described in maize, involves heritable gene expression changes through allele interactions.
  • This phenomenon has been observed across diverse species, including plants, fungi, and animals.
  • Paramutation can occur between endogenous genes, transgenes, or a combination thereof.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms underlying paramutation.
  • To investigate the role of RNA-mediated heritable chromatin changes.
  • To identify genes involved in RNA interference pathways related to paramutation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of paramutation-like phenomena in various organisms.
  • Investigation of RNA-mediated epigenetic modifications.
  • Examination of gene expression patterns and chromatin states.

Main Results:

  • Paramutation establishes distinct, generations-long gene expression states.
  • Evidence suggests RNA-mediated heritable chromatin changes are involved.
  • Several genes within RNAi pathways are implicated in paramutation.

Conclusions:

  • Paramutation is a complex epigenetic mechanism with broad biological relevance.
  • RNA-mediated chromatin changes are a key component of paramutation.
  • Existing RNA interference models do not fully account for all paramutation characteristics.