MicroRNA(miRNA)是真核生物中对转录后调控起着重要作用的一类非编码单链RNA分子,参与调控胚胎发育、干细胞分化、神经发生及细胞凋亡等几乎所有的生物过程。本文简要总结了miRNA的生物合成、命名、表达及功能等方面的研究进展,同时从昆虫miRNA的鉴定、表达及功能、miRNA的代谢等方面对miRNA在昆虫学研究中的最新进展做了综述。
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that play critical roles in gene expression and regulation at the post-translational regulation level in eukaryotes.They are involved in almost every biological process including embryonic development,stem cell division,neurogenesis and cell apoptosis.In this paper,we summarize the biogenesis,nomenclature,expression and functions of miRNAs,and review recent progress in their identification,expression and metabolic functions.