anyone know how we can get double stranded RNA?

Question

since RNA is usually single stranded, what mechanisms transform them to double strand? the more detailed the answer, the better

Answer 1

Even though RNA is generally single-stranded, think of it as having the same properties as one strand of a DNA molecule. If there was another strand of RNA complimentary/matching to the first one, they could bind perfectly to each other.

Now imagine what could happen if a single strand of RNA had sequences on it that could fold over and match up with each other. A single strand of RNA could fold over on itself and form kind of a stem and loop structure.

In fact this happens. Some mRNAs form stem and loop structures that help regulate translation. tRNAs form a number of stem and loop structures vital to their function.

Answer 2

I'm not really sure how you would synthesize double stranded RNA.

For the most part, in nature RNA is single stranded, except in a few rare cases of double stranded RNA viruses.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, Good luck.

Answer 3

I agree with BP's answer that RNA is base pairs just as easily as DNA (with the T-->U difference) and in vitro you can order or synthesize complementary strands. I work with dsRNA everyday in the form of siRNA.

If you want a double stranded (and therefore more stable) mRNA one method is to do Reverse Transcriptase PCR to make a copy of the RNA as DNA (this product is called cDNA and is often used for cloning purposes)

dsRNA is actually recognized by the early immune system because (as someone mentioned) there are some dsRNA viruses.

Answer 4

rna is never double stranded.. we cannot get it.. but in r-rna, there is a pairing between complementary base pairs giving rise to loop like structure at some parts..