RNA-induced silencing complex
RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) is a multiprotein complex, essentially composed of small RNA molecules and Argonaute proteins, that incorporates one strand of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) or micro RNA (miRNA). RISC uses the siRNA or miRNA as a template for recognizing complementary mRNA. When it finds such a sequence, it cleaves it, thereby preventing it from being used as a template for protein synthesis.
Pronunciation
- RNA-induced silencing complex: /ɑrɛnˈeɪ ɪnˈdjuːst saɪˈlɛnsɪŋ kəmˈplɛks/
Etymology
The term "RNA-induced silencing complex" is derived from its function. The "RNA-induced" part refers to the process by which the complex is activated by RNA, specifically small interfering RNA (siRNA) or micro RNA (miRNA). The "silencing complex" part refers to the complex's role in silencing, or inhibiting, the expression of specific genes.
Related Terms
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA): Small molecules of RNA that are used by the RISC to identify and bind to complementary mRNA.
- Micro RNA (miRNA): Small non-coding RNA molecules that function in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.
- Argonaute proteins: A family of proteins that are often associated with siRNAs or miRNAs in the RISC. They are responsible for the cleavage of the target mRNA.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA): The type of RNA that carries information from DNA to the ribosome, the sites of protein synthesis (translation) in the cell.
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