长链非编码RNA与雄性生殖

Long non-coding RNA and male reproduction

长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNAs,lncRNAs)是指一类长度大于200个核苷酸的非编码RNA,具有特定的二级结构和时空表达特异性,在物种间的同源性普遍很低。随着测序技术和生物信息学技术的不断发展以及研究的不断深入,先前被认为是基因组"噪音"的lncRNAs被证实参与了X染色体失活、基因组印记以及胚胎发育等众多生物学过程,并且与一些疾病的发生、发展有着密切的联系。近年来,一些研究表明lncRNAs在雄性生殖方面也发挥着独特的作用。本文主要论述lncRNAs的起源、作用机制,并总结其参与调控的雄性生殖过程及在男性不育相关疾病中的作用。

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of non-protein-coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides. They have a specific secondary structure and spatiotemporal specificity of expression, and most of lncRNAs have little homology among species. With the continuous development of sequencing and bioinformatics, lncRNAs, previously considered to be the "noise" of the genome, have been proved to be involved in many biological processes, such as the inactivation of X chromosome, the imprinting of genome, and the development of embryo, and they are also closely related to the occurrence and development of some diseases. In recent years, some studies have found that they also play unique roles in male reproduction. This paper mainly reviews the origin and mechanism of lncRNAs, and summarizes the male reproductive process involved in the regulation of lncRNAs and its role in male infertility related diseases.