Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2025

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Locations for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
Published on: September 11, 2017
The competitive landscape of the dsRNA world
Kyle A Cottrell1, Ryan J Andrews2, Brenda L Bass2
1Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Abstract:
The ability to sense and respond to infection is essential for life. Viral infection produces double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) that are sensed by proteins that recognize the structure of dsRNA. This structure-based recognition of viral dsRNA allows dsRNA sensors to recognize infection by many viruses, but it comes at a cost-the dsRNA sensors cannot always distinguish between "self" and "nonself" dsRNAs. "Self" RNAs often contain dsRNA regions, and not surprisingly, mechanisms have evolved to prevent aberrant activation of dsRNA sensors by "self" RNA. Here, we review current knowledge about the life of endogenous dsRNAs in mammals-the biosynthesis and processing of dsRNAs, the proteins they encounter, and their ultimate degradation. We highlight mechanisms that evolved to prevent aberrant dsRNA sensor activation and the importance of competition in the regulation of dsRNA sensors and other dsRNA-binding proteins.
Related Concept Videos
DNA Microarrays
Ribosome Profiling
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique...
RNA-seq
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while...
Next-generation Sequencing
Next-Generation Sequencing Methods
Although all next-generation methods use different technologies, they all share a set of standard features....
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

