Question

Regulatory RNAs regulate gene expression at the level of:
Name 3 types:

Answer 1

Regulatory RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in controlling gene expression post-transcriptionally by targeting mRNA for degradation, translational repression, and chromosome remodeling.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regulatory RNAs and Gene Expression

Regulatory RNAs are crucial in the control of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Three prominent types of regulatory RNAs that perform this function are microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Each has a unique role in gene regulation:

1. miRNAs usually bind to complementary sequences in the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or translational repression, thus reducing protein production.
2. siRNAs also pair with complementary mRNA sequences, but they mainly lead to mRNA cleavage, effectively silencing the gene expression post-transcriptionally.
3. lncRNAs have varied functions, including chromosome remodeling, transcriptional interference, and acting as molecular scaffolds. They can regulate gene expression at multiple levels.

Understanding how these regulatory RNAs influence gene expression is critical for a comprehensive study of cellular function, development, and disease mechanisms.