Final answer:
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA) are the double-stranded RNAs that can silence protein production by targeting mRNA for degradation through a process called RNA interference (RNAi), which plays a vital role in the cell's defense against viral infections and is also being explored for therapeutic uses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The double-stranded RNA in question is referred to as small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA) when discussing the mechanism of silencing protein production. These molecules can be formed from the transcription of a segment of two complementary DNA strands or from double-stranded RNA produced by a virus inside the host cell. The process by which these double-stranded RNAs lead to gene silencing involves several key steps. RNA interference (RNAi) is a crucial cellular mechanism where entities like siRNA or miRNA play a pivotal role. The cellular enzyme DICER cuts the double-stranded RNAs into short fragments. Subsequently, one strand of these RNA fragments is incorporated into the RISC complex.
RISC then uses this RNA strand to locate and bind to complementary mRNA molecules within the cell. When such a match is found, the mRNA is degraded, hence preventing it from being translated into protein. This system is not just a natural cellular defense against viral infections, but is also being harnessed in research for therapeutic purposes. Viral dsRNA, after entering a host cell, may undergo this pathway, resulting in suppression of the viral genes and inhibition of viral replication.