RNA interference involves

Options

A. synthesis of cDNA and RNA using reverse transcriptase
B. silencing of specific mRNA due to complementary RNA
C. interference of RNA in synthesis of DNA
D. synthesis of mRNA from DNA

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding RNA Interference (RNAi)**: RNA interference is a biological process that regulates gene expression and is used to silence specific genes. It plays a crucial role in defending against viral infections and controlling transposons.

2. **Origin of RNAi**: The concept of RNA interference was first discovered in 1998 by researchers Andrew Fire and Craig Mello. They observed this phenomenon in the roots of tobacco plants as a response to nematode infections.

3. **Mechanism of RNAi**: The process involves the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the cell. This dsRNA is complementary to the target mRNA (messenger RNA) that needs to be silenced.

4. **Binding and Silencing**: The complementary dsRNA binds to the specific mRNA, leading to the degradation of the mRNA or inhibition of its translation. This effectively silences the expression of the gene corresponding to that mRNA.

5. **Application of RNAi**: RNA interference has applications in various fields, including agriculture (to protect plants from pests), medicine (for gene therapy), and research (to study gene function).

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, RNA interference involves the silencing of specific mRNA due to the presence of complementary double-stranded RNA.

**Final Answer**: RNA interference involves the silencing of specific mRNA due to complementary double-stranded RNA.

---