microRNAs转录与表观遗传调控的研究进展

Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of human microRNAs

小分子RNA（microRNAs,miRNAs）是由17-25个核苷酸组成的非编码RNA,参与调节多种生物功能,包括发育、细胞增殖、细胞分化、信号传导、凋亡、代谢和寿命等。但关于miRNA调控的相关分子机制很大程度上仍未知。新近研究表明,转录调节或表观遗传改变可能是miRNA表达的重要调节机制。本文综述了miRNA转录和表观遗传调控的最新进展,对了解miRNA的调控具有重要意义。

MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are members of non-coding RNAs ranging in size from 17 to 25 nucleotides. MiR-NAs regulate a variety of biological functions, including development, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, signal transduction, apoptosis, metabolism and life span. However it is still unknown in the moleculor mechanism about regu-lation of miRNA. Emerging evidence indicates that transcriptional and epigenetic regulations may play major roles in miRNA expression. This review summarizes the current knowledge and discusses the future challenges, which is im-portant in understanding the regulation of miRNAs.