RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC)

Definition

RISC is a multiprotein complex that incorporates one strand of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA). It uses this as a template for recognizing complementary mRNA molecules and cleaving them, thereby preventing their translation.

Related terms

Argonaute Proteins: These are proteins that bind to small RNAs and are key components of the RISC complex.

Gene Silencing: A general term describing epigenetic processes of gene regulation where a gene is made inactive.

Translation:

The process by which ribosomes in the cytoplasm synthesize proteins after the process transcription of DNA to RNA in the cell's nucleus.