Exploiting RNAi Pathways

Question 1

What are activators in the context of the RNAi pathway?

Answer 1

Expressed or synthetic RNA sequences that mimic intermediates of the RNAi pathway

Activators include Pri-miRNA mimics, Pre-miRNA mimics, and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)

Question 2

What are Pri-miRNA mimics?

Answer 2

Mimics of primary microRNA (Pri-miRNA)

These are designed to influence the RNA interference pathway.

Question 3

What are the roles of RNA polymerase II promoters?

Answer 3

Drive transcription of Pri-miRNA mimics

RNA polymerase II promoters are associated with mRNA transcription.

Question 4

What do RNA polymerase III promoters drive?

Answer 4

Transcription of shRNA and pre-miRNA mimics

Common promoters include U6 and H1.

Question 5

What are phosphoramidites?

Answer 5

Nucleotide analogues used in the chemical synthesis of RNA sequences

They play a crucial role in the synthesis of activators for RNAi.

Question 6

What is the purpose of introducing RNAi activators?

Answer 6

To ‘reprogramme’ the RNAi pathway to silence target RNAs

This process typically involves inducing mRNA degradation.

Question 7

What is functional genomics in the context of RNAi?

Answer 7

Knockdown gene of interest with RNAi to assess its function

This technique is used to understand gene functions.

Question 8

What is the goal of gene therapy using RNAi?

Answer 8

To knockdown pathology-causing genes for therapeutic effect

RNAi therapies aim to treat diseases by targeting specific genes.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: _______ are designed to induce mRNA degradation in the RNAi pathway.

Answer 9

[RNAi activators]

Question 10

True or False: Phosphoramidite chemistry is unrelated to RNA sequence synthesis.

Answer 10

False