Question

What takes place when siRNAs are used in place of dsRNA in mammalian cells?

(a) gene knock-down

(b) apoptosis

(c) necrosis

(d) aggregation

I got this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

The question is from Gene Expression topic in section Gene Expression of Cell Biology

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) gene knock-down

Explanation: When small interfering RNA are used in place of double stranded RNA, gene knock-down takes place. Subsequently there is inhibition of specific protein synthesis encoded by an mRNA having the same nucleotide sequence as that of injected siRNA.