Question

What is RNA interference? Give any one application of RNA Interference.

Answer 1

Hint: RNA interference involves the method of inhibition of gene expression. It is a process that is used in the field of molecular biology to treat certain diseases.

Complete answer: RNA interference, also known as RNAi, is a biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation. They do this by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules. Historically, RNAi was known by many other names like co-suppression, post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and quelling. It was earlier thought that they are all different, but when these processes were studied in detail, the results showed that all these phenomena are the same at the core, i.e., RNAi. Andrew Fire and Craig C. Mello were the ones to get a Nobel Prize in 2006 in physiology or medicine for their work on RNA interference. Their work was on the nematode worm named Caenorhabditis elegans. This work was published in 1998. Since the discovery of RNAi and its regulatory potentials, this process has become evident and it is a well-known fact that it has immense potential in the suppression of desired genes. When compared to chemotherapy or other anti-cancer drugs, there are a lot of advantages of siRNA drugs. SiRNA acts during the post-transcriptional stage of gene expression, so it does not modify or change DNA in any such way which would be deleterious. siRNA can also be used to produce a specific response in a way, such as by downgrading the suppression of gene expression. In a single cancer cell, siRNA can cause dramatic suppression of gene expression with its several copies. It happens by gene silencing of cancer-promoting genes using RNAi, as well as targeting an mRNA sequence. The RNAi drugs treat cancer by silencing certain cancer-promoting genes by complementing the cancer genes with the RNAi, such as keeping the mRNA sequences according to the RNAi drug. Ideally, RNAi should be injected or chemically modified. It will help the RNAi to reach cancer cells more efficiently. RNAi uptake and regulation is monitored by the kidneys in humans. In RNAi, two types of small ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) are used.

Note: It is a key process in molecular biology as gene silencing can help in the prevention and control of many genetic disorders. RNAi is a process that involves the RNA-dependent gene silencing which is controlled by an RNA induced silencing complex.