microRNA processing

besides DNA-protein, what other things does DNA produce?

regulatory RNA- which controls protein production

explain the RNA system that turns off genes

RNAi: it uses micro RNAs (small)

• destroys coding RNA (mRNA)

• blocks RNA-pro (transLation)

• changes DNA compaction (chromatin) so gene expression is affected

key players in RNAi system

• Dicer scissors

• Risc missile system

  • inside: argonaute- missile system operator

    • special kind of risc: RITS

in RNAi system, what is the dicer scissors character?

it’s an enzyme that cuts long double-stranded RNA into small pieces (recognizes double stranded shape) chop chop

in RNAi system, what is the risc missile character?

• main character- it’s a complex- it uses guide RNA to find matching mRNA

1. guide (mi/si) RNA is loaded into RISC (missile)

2. One strand of guide is kept, other destroyed (think of the fuse)

3. the guide leads missile to target mRNA

4. argonaute protein snips mRNA

in RNAi system, what is argonaute missile operator character?

• argonaute missile operator is a protein inside of risc that makes the decisions regarding the mRNA: either

  • ✂ chopps up mRNA- if mRNA is a perfect match

  • 🚫 Blocks translation- if imperfect match

  • 🧬 Changes chromatin

in RNAi system, what is RITS character? (type of risc missile)

turns gene off from DNA-RNA (early stoppage)