RNAi

Question 1

What does RNAi stand for

Answer 1

RNA interference

Question 2

What does RNAi do?

Answer 2

inhibit translation of mRNA produced from target genes

Question 3

Main outline of RNAi mechanism

Answer 3

Double stranded RNA breaks into siRNA
One strand of siRNA combines with enzyme
And pairs with complementary bases on a diff mRNA
So enzyme cuts mRNA

Question 4

What are siRNAs?

Answer 4

Small interfering RNA
Double stranded (paired bases) molecules of mRNA

Question 5

How are siRNAs produced

Answer 5

By hydrolysis of double stranded RNA into smaller double stranded RNA (siRNA) Catalysed by an enzyme which breaks phosphodiester bonds in the RNA

Question 6

How do siRNAs combine with enzyme

Answer 6

Separates the 2 strands so a single strand of siRNA combines with enzyme

Question 7

siRNA + enzyme combining with mRNA….

Answer 7

By complementary base pairs, siRNA binds to mRNA strand
Enzyme hydrolyses mRNA into smaller mRNA molecules so no longer able to translate a polypeptide

Question 8

What is the mRNA the enzyme + siRNA binds to?

Answer 8

Specific One that had been transcribed and is going to translate a polypeptide But we want to stop this translation
Base sequence of the single-stranded siRNA is complementary to a specific mRNA, it can target that specific mRNA for destruction

Question 9

Targeting specific mRNA for destruction before translation

Answer 9

Base sequence of the single-stranded siRNA is complementary to a specific mRNA, it can target that specific mRNA for destruction.

Question 10

If mRNA is destroyed by siRNA…

Answer 10

Cannot be translated into a polypeptide

Question 11

Why would we want to not translate a polypeptide?

Answer 11

Test what a polypeptide does by seeing what happens if its not translated
Medicine - stop production of harmful proteins