Final answer:
RNA interference leads to the degradation or the inhibition of translation of an mRNA by using small non-coding RNAs like siRNAs and miRNAs to bind to and interfere with mRNA function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of RNA interference (RNAi) may lead to several outcomes related to mRNA, but the most direct effects are the degradation of an mRNA and the inhibition of translation of an mRNA. RNAi involves small non-coding RNA molecules, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or microRNAs (miRNAs), that interfere with gene expression by binding to the mRNA. This binding can prevent translation by blocking the ribosome from reading the mRNA, or it can lead to the mRNA being degraded. This mechanism is key in regulating gene expression and protecting cells from viral invasion by degrading viral RNA.
When siRNAs are completely complementary to the target mRNA, they lead to the cleavage and degradation of that mRNA. miRNAs, which are mostly complementary, can inhibit translation, and if they find a completely complementary sequence, they can also cause mRNA degradation. Thus, the process of RNAi can significantly decrease the production of proteins by specifically targeting mRNAs for degradation or by preventing their translation.