Data Mining for Analysis of Microarrays, Department of Morphology and Embryology, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
Genome Med. 2010 Feb 18;2(2):12. doi: 10.1186/gm133.
Continual discoveries on non-coding RNA (ncRNA) have changed the landscape of human genetics and molecular biology. Over the past ten years it has become clear that ncRNAs are involved in many physiological cellular processes and contribute to molecular alterations in pathological conditions. Several classes of ncRNAs, such as small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, PIWI-associated RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs and transcribed ultra-conserved regions, are implicated in cancer, heart diseases, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. ncRNAs have a fundamental role in gene regulation and, given their molecular nature, they are thus both emerging therapeutic targets and innovative intervention tools. Next-generation sequencing technologies (for example SOLiD or Genome Analyzer) are having a substantial role in the high-throughput detection of ncRNAs. Tools for non-invasive diagnostics now include monitoring body fluid concentrations of ncRNAs, and new clinical opportunities include silencing and inhibition of ncRNAs or their replacement and re-activation. Here we review recent progress on our understanding of the biological functions of human ncRNAs and their clinical potential.
不断有关于非编码 RNA（ncRNA）的新发现，改变了人类遗传学和分子生物学的格局。过去十年，人们逐渐认识到 ncRNA 参与了许多生理细胞过程，并导致了病理条件下的分子改变。几类 ncRNA，如小干扰 RNA、microRNA、PIWI 相关 RNA、小核仁 RNA 和转录的超保守区，与癌症、心脏病、免疫紊乱、神经退行性和代谢性疾病有关。ncRNA 在基因调控中起着基础性作用，由于其分子特性，因此它们既是新兴的治疗靶点，也是创新的干预工具。新一代测序技术（如 SOLiD 或 Genome Analyzer）在 ncRNA 的高通量检测中发挥了重要作用。非侵入性诊断工具现在包括监测体液中 ncRNA 的浓度，新的临床机会包括 ncRNA 的沉默和抑制，或其替代和重新激活。在这里，我们回顾了对人类 ncRNA 生物学功能及其临床潜力的最新认识进展。
