What is the full form of RISC?

The term RISC stands for RNA-Induced Silencing Complex. This complex plays a crucial role in the process of RNA interference (RNAi), a biological process wherein RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation. RISC is essential for the function of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), as it incorporates these RNA molecules to guide the silencing of target mRNAs based on sequence complementarity.

RISC contains several proteins, including Argonaute, which is critical for its activity in recognizing and binding to target mRNA, leading to its degradation or inhibiting its translation. This mechanism is significant for regulating gene expression and is involved in various cellular processes, including development, immune response, and suppression of transposable elements.

Understanding the functions of RISC is important for comprehending how gene regulation occurs at a post-transcriptional level and has implications in therapeutic strategies, including gene therapy and cancer treatment. The other options do not accurately reflect the established terminology and functions associated with RISC.