Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

Genetics

13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Overview of Eukaryotic Gene Regulation

Previous problemNext problem

0:49 minutes

Problem 1c

Textbook Question

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

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of RNA interference (RNAi), which is a biological process where double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules inhibit gene expression by causing the degradation of specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules.

Review experimental evidence where researchers introduced synthetic double-stranded RNA into cells and observed a decrease in the expression of target genes, indicating that dsRNA can specifically silence genes.

Examine how the presence of dsRNA triggers the cellular machinery, such as the Dicer enzyme, to process dsRNA into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which then guide the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to degrade complementary mRNA.

Consider control experiments where single-stranded RNA or unrelated dsRNA sequences do not cause gene silencing, demonstrating the specificity and necessity of dsRNA in controlling gene expression.

Summarize that the combination of these experimental approaches—introduction of dsRNA, observation of gene silencing, and identification of the molecular pathway—provides strong evidence that double-stranded RNA molecules can control gene expression posttranscriptionally.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

49s

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

RNA interference is a biological process where double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules inhibit gene expression by degrading complementary messenger RNA (mRNA). This mechanism allows cells to regulate genes posttranscriptionally and is a key method for gene silencing.

Experimental Evidence Using dsRNA

Scientists demonstrated that introducing dsRNA into cells leads to specific gene silencing by observing reduced protein or mRNA levels of target genes. These experiments, such as those in C. elegans, provided direct evidence that dsRNA can control gene expression.

Role of Dicer and RISC Complex

Dicer is an enzyme that processes dsRNA into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which are then incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). RISC uses siRNAs to recognize and degrade target mRNA, explaining the molecular mechanism behind dsRNA-mediated gene regulation.