Embryo Biotechnology and Reproduction Laboratory, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
Tigray Agricultural Research Institute, Mekelle Agricultural Research Center, Mekelle 7000, Ethiopia.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Dec 18;22(24):13579. doi: 10.3390/ijms222413579.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are composed of nucleotides located in the nucleus and cytoplasm; these are transcribed by RNA polymerase II and are greater than 200 nt in length. LncRNAs fulfill important functions in a variety of biological processes, including genome imprinting, cell differentiation, apoptosis, stem cell pluripotency, X chromosome inactivation and nuclear transport. As high throughput sequencing technology develops, a substantial number of lncRNAs have been found to be related to a variety of biological processes, such as development of the testes, maintaining the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells, and regulating spermatocyte meiosis. These indicate that lncRNAs can be used as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for male infertility. However, only a few comprehensive reviews have described the role of lncRNAs in male reproduction. In this paper, we summarize recent findings relating to the role of lncRNAs in spermatogenesis, their potential as biomarkers for male infertility and the relationship between reproductive arrest and transgenerational effects. Finally, we suggest specific targets for the treatment of male infertility from the perspective of lncRNAs.
长链非编码 RNA（lncRNA）是由位于细胞核和细胞质中的核苷酸组成的；这些由 RNA 聚合酶 II 转录，长度大于 200 个核苷酸。lncRNA 在多种生物过程中发挥着重要作用，包括基因组印记、细胞分化、细胞凋亡、干细胞多能性、X 染色体失活和核运输。随着高通量测序技术的发展，大量的 lncRNA 被发现与多种生物过程有关，如睾丸发育、维持精原干细胞的自我更新和分化，以及调节精母细胞减数分裂。这表明 lncRNA 可以作为男性不育的生物标志物和潜在的治疗靶点。然而，只有少数综述性文章描述了 lncRNA 在男性生殖中的作用。本文总结了 lncRNA 在精子发生中的作用、作为男性不育生物标志物的潜力以及生殖阻滞与跨代效应之间的关系。最后，我们从 lncRNA 的角度提出了治疗男性不育的具体靶点。
