非编码RNAs与勃起功能障碍关系研究进展

Non-coding RNAs and erectile dysfunction: An update

勃起功能障碍(ED)是一种与年龄、心理、躯体疾病、生活方式等众多因素相关的疾病,严重降低了患者的生活质量。以往认为一部分由基因转录而来但不翻译成蛋白的非编码RNAs(ncRNAs)是基因表达过程中的"废物",但近年来发现它们在基因表达过程中起着至关重要的调节作用,ncRNAs对基因表达产物调节可影响阴茎的勃起功能,本文对ncRNAs与ED关系的研究进展进行了综述。

Erectile dysfunction （ED） is a disease associated with a variety of factors such as age, psychological factors, physi- cal conditions, and lifestyle, and it severely affects the patient＇s quality of life. In the past, some non-coding RNAs （ncRNAs） tran- scribed by genes but not translated into the protein were regarded as the ＂waste＂ in the process of gene expression. But in the recent years, ncRNAs have been found to play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and its products, which may affect penile erectile function. This review focuses on the recent progress in the studies of the relationship between ncRNAs and erectile dysfunction.