Double stranded RNA
Double stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a unique form of RNA that appears with two complementary strands, instead of a single strand that is more common for this genetic material. RNA plays an important role in living organisms.
Double stranded RNA (dsRNA),
usually shows up in viruses and is somewhat unusual. In viruses, it is a unique
characteristic, and only a small number of viral families exhibit this trait.
Single stranded forms can have
a very complex structure because they fold on each other and create elaborate
three dimensional forms. Double stranded RNA can become even more complex, as
the two chains of genetic material will also fold and twist to accomplish
different functions.
Imaging RNA is challenging
because of the extremely small size. Very sensitive and powerful imaging
systems are necessary to see RNA in a lab setting.
One the most important function
of double stranded RNA is interference or silencing. The strands can change the
way a gene expresses or turn it off altogether. For dsRNA viruses, this confers
a distinct advantage. The virus can enter a cell and turn genes off to protect
itself, and hijack the cell to produce more copies of the virus. Viruses in
this group can be difficult to treat, as they may become a moving target in the
body and can fight the medications a doctor might prescribe to treat them.
Also,Double-stranded RNA such as viral RNA or
siRNA can trigger RNA interference in eukaryotes, as well as interferon
response in vertebrates.
http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/13/2/139.full
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