长非编码RNA调节恶性疟原虫的毒力及其基因激活研究进展

Progress on Virulence and Gene Promotion Regulated by lncRNAs of Plasmodium Falciparum

长链非编码RNA (long non-coding RNAs, lncRNAs)为一类长度大于200 nt,不具有蛋白质编码功能且大多具有polyA尾巴结构的RNA分子。截止2016年,全球每年疟疾发病病例高达2.16亿例,近年来,由于耐药性原虫和耐杀虫剂蚊的出现,消除疟疾对人类的危害仍是一项艰巨的科学任务。应对这一挑战的关键在于研制有效的疫苗、开发新的抗疟药物以及创新使用现有抗疟药物,而疟原虫的毒力调节机制、基因激活、代谢等过程尚有许多未知的方面,为疫苗研发和药物开发带来许多困难。lncRNAs在恶性疟原虫发育、代谢、致病机制中可能发挥重要作用,进一步了解lncRNAs的毒力调节机制、基因激活过程,有利于对恶性疟原虫的致病机制有更清晰的了解,以便有针对性地制定诊疗策略,开发有效的抗疟方法。本文就lncRNAs调节恶性疟原虫的毒力及其基因激活研究进展作一综述。

Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are a group of RNA molecules,more than 200 nt,which do not have protein coding functions and mostly have a poly A tail structure.By 2016,there were 216 million people suffered from malaria all over the world every year.In recent years,due to the emergence of drug-resistant protozoas and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes,therefore,eliminating the harm of malaria to humans remains an arduous scientific task.Developing effective vaccines and new anti-malarial drugs,and innovating the conventional use of existing antimalarial drugs are pivotal to this challenge.The mechanisms of virulence regulation,gene activation,and metabolism of parasites are still unknown making it difficult to develop effective vaccines and new anti-malarial drugs.However,lncRNAs play an important role in the development,metabolism,and pathogenesis of plasmodium falciparum.Having a good understanding of the virulence regulation mechanism and gene activation process of lncRNAs will help us to understand the pathogenic mechanism of plasmodium falciparum.Then,we can develop specific diagnosis,treatment strategies and more effective antimalarial methods.This paper reviews the progress of lncRNAs in regulating the virulence of plasmodium falciparum and its gene activation.