You are studying the function of a recently identified gene in C.elegans.You perform genetic screens for several months in an attempt to isolate loss-of-function gene mutations,but your efforts are unsuccessful.Your advisor suggests you try another approach to eliminate gene function.The best technique to accomplish this goal would be
A)to design a repressor to bind to the operon of this gene.
B)use a histone deacetylase to induce a transcriptionally inactive state.
C)use a C.elegans strain with a homozygous TFIID mutation to prevent the translation initiation complex from forming.
D)use RNA interference to prevent mRNA translation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

RNA interference (RNAi) is a technique used to silence gene expression through the degradation of mRNA. By specifically targeting the mRNA of the gene of interest, RNAi can effectively knock down its expression, allowing for the study of its function. This would be the most appropriate technique to eliminate the function of the gene in question, as the genetic screens for loss-of-function mutations were unsuccessful.

You Are Studying the Function of a Recently Identified Gene