long question (5) Flashcards
(8 cards)
1
Q
explain the term RNAi and describe relevant molecular mechanisms
A
2
Q
what is RNAi
A
- RNA interference
- inhibits gene expression at mRNA
- mRNA translation will be blocked and lead to degradation
- results in reduced protein expression
3
Q
molecular mechanisms
A
- miRNA
- siRNA
- DICER enzyme
- RISC complex
4
Q
what is miRNA
A
- microRNA
- naturally occuring non-coding single stranded RNA transcript
- folds to generate dsRNA loop structures
5
Q
what is siRNA
A
- single stranded small nucleotides
6
Q
what is DICER
A
- enzyme
- cleaves the dsRNA into 21 single-stranded small nucleotides (siRNA)
7
Q
what is RISC
A
- RNA-induced silencing complex
- multi-protein
- guided by miRNA & siRNA
- cuts target mRNA transcripts with argonautes using complementary base pairings
8
Q
what is lncRNA
A
- long non-coding RNA
- > 200 nts
- regulates diverse cell processes
- not well conversed as protein-coding genes
- cell type specific
