Small RNAs

Definition

Small RNAs are short ribonucleic acid molecules involved in the regulation of gene expression by interfering with the transcription of specific DNA sequences or the translation of mRNA into proteins. They play a critical role in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.

Related terms

Gene Expression: The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product, often protein, but sometimes RNA molecules for those genes that code for RNA.

Transcription:

The first step in gene expression, where a particular segment of DNA is copied into RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase.

RNA Silencing: A cellular mechanism that uses small RNA molecules to regulate gene expression by hindering the transcriptional or translational processes