How RNAi Works

The Dicer Enzyme

An important enzyme named Dicer recognizes and cuts the long double-stranded RNA.

Dicer cleaves the long RNAs into short 21- to 25-base-pair molecules called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).

A hexagon labeled dicer with 3 spikes points to a double strand labeled d-s-R-N-A. An arrow points down to 3 double strand segments labeled s-i-R-N-A, with another tangent arrow showing A-T-P converting to A-D-P + P-I. — Dicer enzyme cuts long double-stranded RNA into short small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs.