Question

Given below is an image showing a special situation in which a dsRNA from a source has been introduced into a host cell.

N - Nematode specific gene

C - Cell of Tobacco plant

a) How can dsRNA of nematode specific gene be introduced into the host cell as shown in the figure given above? 

b) What can be the source of dsRNA for this process? 

c) What will be the impact of this interaction between dsRNA and mRNA on the mRNA and entire cellular machinery of host plant?

Answer 1

a) Using Agrobacterium vectors 

b) Infection by viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons)

c) Being complimentary, one RNA strand of the newly introduced ds RNA will bind to already existing mRNA of the host cell which will result in silencing of this mRNA of for translational purposes. (RNA interference) 

Parasite will thus not be able to survive in the transgenic host.