Small interfering RNA, also known as RNAi, is single-stranded RNA that binds to mRNA with a RNA-induced silencing complex protein. According to the model, what is the most likely effect of RNAi on the expression of the mRNA?

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Biology

Mcintosh

25 July, 21:39

Small interfering RNA, also known as RNAi, is single-stranded RNA that binds to mRNA with a RNA-induced silencing complex protein. According to the model, what is the most likely effect of RNAi on the expression of the mRNA?

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Justus Hess · Answer 1

The expression of the mRNA decreases.

Explanation:

The RNAi binds to some proteins forming a silencing complex. This complex binds to the target mRNA (of which the RNAi is complementary) and cleaves it (cuts it). The cell will detect the generated fragments of mRNA, recognize they are aberrant and will thus degrade them.

All in all, this mechanism silences (reduces) the expression of the mRNA, because it will be degraded instead of translated into protein.