Course Forum

RNA interference

RNA interference

by Emanuela Boccuni -
Number of replies: 2

Good evening,

I would like to ask you a question about RNA interference. How the guide strand of siRNA/microRNA and other RNAs involved in the RNA interference mechanism, is chosen? which is the criteria to discard one strand instead the other and how this selection occur? 

Thank you in advance.

In reply to Emanuela Boccuni

Re: RNA interference

by Cecilia Boretto -

Hi! The choice of guide strands depends on the orientation of binding into Ago pocket, and the orientation depends on which strand has the most suitable 5' terminus:

  • A or U is preferred as first base
  • A 5' with lowest thermodynamic stability is preferred (pA, pU)