This document discusses RNA interference (RNAi) and its mechanisms. It can be summarized as follows:
1. RNAi is a process where double-stranded RNA causes degradation of homologous mRNA sequences. It was discovered in 1998 and is found across many organisms.
2. The RNAi pathway involves conversion of dsRNA to siRNAs by the enzyme Dicer. siRNAs are incorporated into the RISC complex containing Argonaute proteins. RISC then cleaves and destroys homologous mRNA targets.
3. miRNAs are endogenous single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression at the translation level by preventing ribosome binding. They are processed from hairpin precursors by the enzymes Dro