In this chapter, we focused on how eukaryotic gene expression is regulated posttranscriptionally. At the same time, we found many opportunities to consider the methods and reasoning by which much of this information was acquired. From the explanations given in the chapter:

How do we know that double-stranded RNA molecules can control gene expression?

Key Concepts

Posttranscriptional Regulation

Posttranscriptional regulation refers to the control of gene expression at the RNA level, after transcription has occurred. This includes processes such as RNA splicing, editing, transport, and degradation, which can influence the stability and translation of mRNA. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for grasping how gene expression can be finely tuned in response to cellular conditions.

Double-Stranded RNA (dsRNA)

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a type of RNA molecule that consists of two complementary strands. It plays a significant role in the regulation of gene expression, particularly in the process of RNA interference (RNAi), where dsRNA can trigger the degradation of specific mRNA molecules, thereby silencing gene expression. This mechanism is a key tool in both natural cellular processes and biotechnological applications.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which dsRNA molecules inhibit gene expression by promoting the degradation of complementary mRNA. This process is mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), which guide the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to target mRNAs. RNAi is a powerful mechanism for regulating gene expression and has been widely studied for its potential in therapeutic applications.