Question

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the Flowering Locus C (FLC) gene codes for a regulatory protein that suppresses flowering. FLC is expressed in seedlings to prevent premature flowering. In mature plants, FLC expression decreases with cooler temperatures, and flowering occurs once sufficiently cool temperatures are reached. If small-interfering RNA (siRNA) that is complementary to FLC mRNA is introduced, how would RNA interference (RNAi) affect flowering?

Answer 1

RNA interference would degrade the FLC mRNA and instigate flowering.

The RNA interference refers to a molecular process, which is used by the cells to prevent the expression of any specific gene, that is, by not continuing the process of translation of mRNA. This can be done with the assistance of micro-RNAs or siRNAs.

The function of the siRNA primarily relies upon its tendency of binding with RISC or RNA-induced silencing complex. Once it combines with RISC, the unwinding of the double-stranded RNA occurs and is succeeded by the cleavage of the sense strand. This is attained with the activity of endonucleases over it. The left antisense strand will mediate the RISC factor towards mRNA for preventing its transcription, and thus, silencing it.