长链非编码RNA的功能及其研究

The Progress on Long Non-coding RNA Function

长链非编码RNA(Long noncoding RNAs,lncRNAs)是一类无或少有蛋白编码能力的复杂长链非编码RNA,在大部分真核生物基因组被转录。目前大多数lncRNAs已分类,但其功能有待深入研究。已有研究表明lncRNAs在调节生长发育、细胞定向分化、亚细胞结构分布、进化选择和人类疾病的关系等方面有重要作用。本文就对lncRNAs的功能及其在医学方面的研究进展作一综述。

Most of the eukaryotic genome is transcribed, yielding a complex network of transcripts that includes tens of thousands of long noncoding RNAs with little or no protein-coding capacity. Although the vast majority of long noncoding RNAs have yet to be characterized thoroughly, there are probably many functions of long ncRNAs awaiting discovery. Multiple studies have shown that significant numbers of long ncRNAs are regulated during development, exhibit cell typespecific expression, localize to specific subcellular compartments, and are associated with human diseases. Here, we review the recent evolutions of long noncoding RNAs, their functions and medical significance.