Final answer:
A short interfering RNA (siRNA) complementary to an mRNA prevents its translation, leading to the mRNA's degradation. This process, known as RNA interference (RNAi), is leveraged in gene silencing technologies for therapeutic purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A short interfering RNA (siRNA) which is complementary to an mRNA will prevent that mRNA from being translated and thus causing degradation of the mRNA.
This process is part of the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism where siRNAs are used to silence gene expression. Binding of siRNA to mRNA blocks the translation process, a key step in protein synthesis. When the siRNA-RISC complex binds to its complementary mRNA, it leads to mRNA cleavage and subsequent gene silencing.
Gene silencing technology can be utilized for therapeutic purposes, such as treating viral infections, cancer, and other diseases by targeting specific mRNAs for degradation, thus reducing or eliminating the production of harmful proteins.