Post-transcriptional gene silencing

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a natural cellular process that reduces or prevents the production of specific proteins by degrading messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules after they are created. When a cell detects that a gene's message (mRNA) is unnecessary or potentially harmful, it activates mechanisms that cut up or block these messages, stopping the protein from being made. This process helps regulate gene activity, defend against viruses, and is a tool used in research and biotechnology to control gene expression precisely.