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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...

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...

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...

Types of RNA

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...

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: August 21, 2014

Small Noncoding RNAs in Reproduction and Infertility.

Qifan Zhu¹, Jane Allyn Kirby^2,3, Chen Chu^2,3

¹State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.

|December 24, 2021

Summary

Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) are crucial for mammalian reproduction and may explain unexplained infertility. Sperm-borne sncRNAs are involved in inheritance and show potential as fertility biomarkers.

Keywords:

biomarker epididymosome infertility small noncoding RNA sperm transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

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Last Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

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Published on: August 21, 2014

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

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Published on: October 9, 2020

Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing

Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing

Published on: October 11, 2015

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Epigenetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Infertility affects 1 in 6 couples globally, with many cases idiopathic.
Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) regulate mammalian reproduction and germ cell development.
Sperm-borne sncRNAs, including miRNAs and tsRNAs, are sensitive to environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

Review the roles of sncRNAs in mammalian germ cell development.
Highlight sperm-borne sncRNAs in epigenetic inheritance.
Discuss sncRNAs as biomarkers for fertility and embryo quality.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on sncRNAs in reproduction.
Analysis of evidence for sncRNA involvement in epigenetic inheritance.
Evaluation of sncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Main Results:

sncRNAs play critical roles in mammalian germ cell development.
Sperm-borne sncRNAs mediate the inheritance of paternally acquired traits.
sncRNAs show promise as biomarkers for fertility and embryo assessment.

Conclusions:

sncRNAs are vital regulators of reproduction and potential indicators of fertility.
Further research is needed to overcome limitations in using sncRNAs for diagnosis and treatment.