Textbook Question
RNAi may be directed by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or microRNAs (miRNAs); how are these similar, and how are they different?
Ch. 18 - Post-transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes
Klug12th EditionConcepts of Genetics ISBN: 9780135564776
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Introduction to Genetics17
- Ch. 2 - Mitosis and Meiosis36
- Ch. 3 - Mendelian Genetics51
- Ch. 4 - Extensions of Mendelian Genetics74
- Ch. 5 - Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes51
- Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages46
- Ch. 7 - Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes33
- Ch. 8 - Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement40
- Ch. 9 - Extranuclear Inheritance31
- Ch. 10 - DNA Structure and Analysis43
- Ch. 11 - DNA Replication and Recombination44
- Ch. 12 - DNA Organization in Chromosomes30
- Ch. 13 - The Genetic Code and Transcription54
- Ch. 14 - Translation and Proteins47
- Ch. 15 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Transposition41
- Ch. 16 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria29
- Ch. 17 - Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes41
- Ch. 18 - Post-transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes33
- Ch. 19 - Epigenetics33
- Ch. 20 - Recombinant DNA Technology44
- Ch. 21 - Genomic Analysis36
- Ch. 22 - Applications of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology36
- Ch. 23 - Developmental Genetics37
- Ch. 24 - Cancer Genetics34
- Ch. 25 - Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits54
- Ch. 26 - Population and Evolutionary Genetics45
Chapter 18, Problem 16
Competing endogenous RNAs act as molecular 'sponges.' What does this mean, and what do they compete with?
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Understand that competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding to microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small non-coding RNAs involved in gene silencing.
Recognize that miRNAs typically bind to messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to inhibit their translation or promote their degradation, thus reducing protein production.
Learn that ceRNAs act as molecular 'sponges' by containing binding sites for specific miRNAs, effectively sequestering these miRNAs and preventing them from binding to their target mRNAs.
Identify that the competition is between ceRNAs and mRNAs for binding to the same pool of miRNAs; by 'soaking up' miRNAs, ceRNAs reduce the miRNA-mediated repression of mRNAs.
Conclude that this mechanism allows ceRNAs to indirectly regulate gene expression by modulating the availability of miRNAs to their target mRNAs.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Competing Endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs)
Competing endogenous RNAs are RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding and sequestering microRNAs (miRNAs). By acting as molecular 'sponges,' they reduce the availability of miRNAs to bind their usual target mRNAs, thus influencing the expression of those genes.
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MicroRNAs (miRNAs)
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to complementary sequences on target mRNAs, leading to mRNA degradation or translational repression. Their activity is modulated by interactions with ceRNAs.
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Guided course
06:59
RNA Interference
Molecular 'Sponge' Mechanism
The 'sponge' mechanism refers to ceRNAs competing with mRNAs for binding to shared miRNAs. By sequestering miRNAs, ceRNAs prevent them from repressing target mRNAs, thereby indirectly increasing the expression of those genes.
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07:11Mapping with Markers
Related Practice
Textbook Question
miRNAs target endogenous mRNAs in a sequence-specific manner. Explain, conceptually, how one might identify potential mRNA targets for a given miRNA if you only know the sequence of the miRNA and the sequence of all mRNAs in a cell or tissue of interest.
Textbook Question
In principle, RNAi may be used to fight viral infection. How might this work?
Textbook Question
While circular RNAs were first described long ago, they have only recently been investigated for function. What are their known and suspected functions in the cell?
Textbook Question
How are mRNAs stored within the cell in a translationally inactive state, and how can their translation be stimulated?
Textbook Question
How and why are eukaryotic mRNAs transported and localized to discrete regions of the cell?
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