真核基因的表达是一个涉及从DNA转录到mRNA转录后加工和翻译后蛋白质修饰的复杂过程,真核生物的复杂性必然要求更为复杂和精确的表达调控机制,这也是真核基因组中有大量非编码序列存在的主要原因。在这些非编码序列中,顺式作用元件可以与反式作用因子相互作用于转录水平调控基因的表达,重复序列主要影响染色质的结构,内含子和非翻译区主要在转录后水平上调控基因的表达,而非编码RNA则调控基因表达的各个层次。文章就这些调控基因表达的非编码序列及它们的调控机制作简要的综述。
Gene expression in eukaryotes is a complex process that is involved with many levels from DNA transcription to mRNA posttranscriptional processing and posttranslational modification. It is the precise execution of these regulations that ensures the faithful completion of biological processes. The complexity of eukaryote certainly requires a more complex and precise regulation mechanism of gene expression. This is the main reason why most of the eukaryotic genome is non-coding sequences. Cis-acting elements, repetitive sequences, introns, untranslated regions and non-coding RNAs are non-coding sequences that play important roles in regulating expression of eukaryotic genes. Cis-acting elements interact with trans-acting factors to regulate gene expression in the transcription. Repetitive sequences can influence the chromatin structure. Introns and untranslated regions mainly regulate the gene expression at the level of post-transcription. Non-coding RNAs control various levels of gene expression. Here the authors review these non-coding sequences that regulate gene expression and their regulation mechanisms.