Which type of RNA interacts with the target mRNA to inhibit translation?

Antisense RNA is a type of RNA that has a sequence complementary to a specific mRNA. It binds to the target mRNA through base-pairing interactions, which can inhibit translation through several mechanisms. By binding to the mRNA, antisense RNA can prevent the ribosome from accessing the mRNA, effectively blocking its translation into protein. This regulatory role in gene expression is critically important in various biological processes, including development and response to environmental changes.

In contrast, ribosomal RNA primarily serves as a structural and catalytic component of the ribosome during protein synthesis and does not directly inhibit translation. Messenger RNA serves as the coding blueprint for protein synthesis and is not involved in inhibition. Transfer RNA plays a role in bringing amino acids to the ribosome during translation, facilitating protein synthesis rather than inhibiting it. Thus, antisense RNA is uniquely positioned to inhibit translation through its complementary nature to target mRNA.