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Mechanisms of gene silencing by double-stranded RNA

Abstract

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is an important regulator of gene expression in many eukaryotes. It triggers different types of gene silencing that are collectively referred to as RNA silencing or RNA interference. A key step in known silencing pathways is the processing of dsRNAs into short RNA duplexes of characteristic size and structure. These short dsRNAs guide RNA silencing by specific and distinct mechanisms. Many components of the RNA silencing machinery still need to be identified and characterized, but a more complete understanding of the process is imminent.

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Figure 1: RNA silencing pathways in different organisms.
Figure 2: Model of small-RNA-guided post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.
Figure 3: Domain structures of representative members of the RNA family discussed in the review.

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Acknowledgements

We thank W. Fischle, M. Poy and all members of the Tuschl laboratory for comments on the manuscript. G.M. is supported by an Emmy Noether fellowship of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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Meister, G., Tuschl, T. Mechanisms of gene silencing by double-stranded RNA. Nature 431, 343–349 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02873

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