Question

In RNA interference (RNAi):

• A. The silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary RNA strand that binds and form dsRNA molecule and prevent translation of the mRNA
• B. The silencing of a specific mRNA due to dsDNA molecule that binds to and prevent translation of the mRNA
• C. The silencing of a specific mRNA due to a non-complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevent translation of the mRNA
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

This is gene subtraction. This method is used to change the genotype of a plant by either inactivation or removal of the gene. A nematode Meloidogyne incognita infects the roots of tobacco plants causing a great reduction in yield. The strategy adopted to prevent this damage was the RNA interference process (RNAi). RNAi is a naturally occurring mechanism that causes 'silencing' of the genes. This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevent translation of mRNA.