内含子在真核生物基因组中广泛存在。已有的研究虽揭示出内含子对基因的表达有着重要的调节作用,并参与了基因的进化,但内含于的功能还远没有弄清楚,对其本身的起源与演化问题也还存在很大争论。尽管如此,目前内含子在生物信息学研究和基因工程中的应用已蓬勃展开。本文就人们目前对内含子的基因组分析、分子进化与分予系统分析研究以及内含子在转基因工程中的应用作一概述。
Intron is widespread in eukaryotic genomes. It is already known that intron is an important regulation factor of eukaryotic gene expression and is involved in gene evolution. Although the functions of intron are not very clear so far, and its origin and evolution is still a debatable issue, knowledge of intron has been applied in bioinformatic analysis and genetic engineering. In this paper, the application strategies in genomic analysis, molecular evolution and phylogenetic analysis, and transgenic engineering of this important gene structural element were reviewed.