MicroRNAs在青春期发育启动中作用的研究进展

Research progress of the role of microRNAs in puberty initiation

miRNAs是一类单链、内源性的、非编码的小RNA,其主要作用是调控基因的转录后表达,可发挥多种生物功能。青春期发育涉及复杂的调控网络,其中下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴决定性作用是目前的主要观点。研究发现miRNAs表达水平与青春期发育密切相关,miRNAs的缺失和异常表达可影响青春期的启动,具体机制尚不清楚,可能与下丘脑GnRH的分泌密切相关。本文主要介绍目前与青春期启动密切相关的几种miRNAs,并对其在青春期发育启动中的作用及可能的机制进行综述。

MiRNAs are a type of single-stranded, endogenous, non-coding small RNAs, which can regulate the post-transcriptional expression of genes and a variety of biological functions. Puberty development involves a complex regulatory network, among which the the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis may play the key role. Studies have found that there was a relationship between the miRNAs and puberty development. The absence and abnormal expression of miRNAs can affect the initiation of puberty. But the mechanism is not clear. It may be related to the secretion of GnRH in the hypothalamus. This article mainly introduced several miRNAs which were currently closely related to the initiation of puberty, and reviewed their role and possible mechanisms in the initiation of puberty.