The role of regulatory non-coding RNAs during spermatogenesis

Abstract

Abstract: Global rise in male infertility as a result of falling sperm count and quality has been pointed out by many investigations. Therefore, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis and its regulation. Spermatogenesis is characterized by three phases: mitosis, meiosis and spermiogenesiss, which are strictly regulated by phase-specific gene expression that is controlled by myriads of regulatory non-coding RNAs. Rapid advancement in genome mining technologies has identified role of regulatory non-coding RNAs including microRNA(miRNA), small-interfering RNA(siRNA), PIWI-interacting RNA(piRNA) and long non-coding RNA(lncRNA) as controllers of gene expression at transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional level in different biological context and disease processes. Here, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding about the involvement of these transcripts in spermatogenesis. In addition, we review here the relationship between their abnormal experssion and associated diseases.

Key words: regulatory non-coding RNAs, spermatogenesis, gene expression, male infertility

CLC Number:

WANG Yan, GUO Wenlong, GENG Dehai, WANG Bo, ZHANG Jianli, ZHANG Yanmin, LIU Shuzhuo. The role of regulatory non-coding RNAs during spermatogenesis[J]. Medical Reserch and Education, 2014, 31(6): 95-99.

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