Answer :
Final answer:
The protein that combines with miRNA to bind to mRNA is Argonaute, which forms part of the RNA-induced silencing complex and is essential for gene regulation. Dicer is involved earlier in the process by cleaving the double-stranded RNA to produce miRNA.
Explanation:
The protein that combines with microRNA (miRNA) to bind to messenger RNA (mRNA) is known as Argonaute. This protein is a part of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), which plays a role in gene silencing. When miRNA binds to Argonaute, they work together to degrade mRNA or block its translation, thus regulating gene expression. Other options like Slicer, Dicer, and Cutter are not the correct answer in this context.
During the process of RNA interference, Dicer first cleaves the double-stranded RNA into short double-stranded fragments with two nucleotide overhangs at the ends. These short strands are known as miRNA or short interfering RNA (siRNA). Subsequently, one strand from this miRNA or siRNA, known as the guide strand, is incorporated into the RISC where it is bound by the Argonaute protein. The miRNA-RISC complex then pairs with a complementary sequence in the target mRNA and induces its silence through either degradation or inhibition of translation. This regulatory mechanism is crucial for controlling the levels of proteins that are produced within the cell.
