Hawkins Shannon M, Buchold Gregory M, Matzuk Martin M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Mol Endocrinol. 2011 Aug;25(8):1257-79. doi: 10.1210/me.2011-0099. Epub 2011 May 5.
The discovery of small noncoding RNA, including P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNA, small interfering RNA, and microRNA, has energized research in reproductive medicine. In the two decades since the identification of small RNA, first in Caenorhabditis elegans and then in other animals, scientists in many disciplines have made significant progress in elucidating their biology. A powerful battery of tools, including knockout mice and small RNA mimics and antagonists, has facilitated investigation into the functional roles and therapeutic potential of these small RNA pathways. Current data indicate that small RNA play significant roles in normal development and physiology and pathological conditions of the reproductive tracts of females and males. Biologically plausible mRNA targets for these microRNA are aggressively being discovered. The next phase of research will focus on elucidating the clinical utility of small RNA-selective agonists and antagonists.
小非编码RNA的发现，包括P元件诱导的弱精睾丸相互作用RNA、小干扰RNA和微小RNA，为生殖医学研究注入了活力。自首次在秀丽隐杆线虫中发现小RNA，随后在其他动物中发现以来的二十年里，许多学科的科学家在阐明其生物学特性方面取得了重大进展。一系列强大的工具，包括基因敲除小鼠以及小RNA模拟物和拮抗剂，促进了对这些小RNA通路的功能作用和治疗潜力的研究。目前的数据表明，小RNA在男性和女性生殖道的正常发育、生理和病理状况中发挥着重要作用。针对这些微小RNA的具有生物学合理性的mRNA靶点正在被积极发现。下一阶段的研究将集中于阐明小RNA选择性激动剂和拮抗剂的临床应用价值。
