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

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Application of RNA Interference in the Pinewood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
06:54

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Published on: March 9, 2022

RNAi pathways in parasitic protists and worms.

Thiago Mafra Batista1, João Trindade Marques

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Journal of Proteomics
|March 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary

RNA interference (RNAi) pathways offer new strategies for treating tropical diseases like Malaria and Schistosomiasis. Understanding unique RNAi mechanisms in parasites such as Plasmodium and Schistosoma mansoni can lead to novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

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Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Application of RNA Interference in the Pinewood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
06:54

Application of RNA Interference in the Pinewood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

Published on: March 9, 2022

RNAi Screening to Identify Postembryonic Phenotypes in C. elegans
09:40

RNAi Screening to Identify Postembryonic Phenotypes in C. elegans

Published on: February 13, 2012

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum
10:22

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Published on: December 4, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Tropical diseases caused by parasitic worms and protists pose significant global health challenges.
  • Existing treatments are insufficient, necessitating the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
  • RNA interference (RNAi) pathways, utilizing small non-coding RNAs, are crucial for gene expression regulation in eukaryotes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the unique features of RNAi pathways in specific parasitic eukaryotes.
  • To explore the potential of exploiting these RNAi pathways for developing new treatments for tropical diseases.
  • To focus on Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium, and Schistosoma mansoni, causative agents of Chagas disease, Malaria, and Schistosomiasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on RNAi pathways in parasitic eukaryotes.
  • Comparative analysis of RNAi mechanisms across different parasite groups.
  • Discussion of potential therapeutic applications based on parasite-specific RNAi features.

Main Results:

  • RNAi pathways exhibit unique, group-specific characteristics in parasitic eukaryotes.
  • These distinct features present opportunities for targeted intervention.
  • The review details specific RNAi mechanisms in Trypanosoma cruzi, Plasmodium, and Schistosoma mansoni.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding parasite-specific RNAi pathways is key to developing novel treatments for tropical diseases.
  • Targeting these pathways could lead to effective new therapies for Chagas disease, Malaria, and Schistosomiasis.
  • Exploiting RNAi offers a promising avenue for combating the public health impact of these neglected tropical diseases.