RNA Interference Pathway

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved biological process in eukaryotes that regulates gene expression by using small RNA molecules to silence specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs), thereby preventing the production of particular proteins. The pathway is triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and results in sequence-specific suppression of gene expression through either mRNA degradation or translational repression. Key components include dsRNA, Dicer, siRNAs, miRNAs, Argonaute proteins, and the RISC complex.

Other names

RNAi pathwayPost-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS)

siRNAs or miRNAs guide RISC to target mRNAs for degradation or translational repression.