Characterization and importance of microRNAs in mammalian gonadal functions.
Cell Tissue Res
; 349(3): 679-90, 2012 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22842772
ABSTRACT
Recent progress in high throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis and other biochemical methods have fuelled our appreciation for the important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in disease, fertility and development. These tiny RNAs were found to be potentially involved in various aspects of cellular processes of reproductive tissues by posttranscriptional regulation of protein coding genes. Mammalian gonads which exhibit strictly regulated spatiotemporal gene expression patterns are also known to express unique sets of miRNAs and genes involved in the miRNA biogenetic pathway. Studies on miRNAs and their associated processing enzymes have evidenced the contribution of these small regulatory RNAs to germ cell differentiation, post-meiotic male germ cell function and growth, and development and maturation of oocytes through pertaining tightly regulated gene expression. The existence, preferential and temporal expression of miRNAs and their processing machinery genes in different stages of testicular and ovarian cellular development have evidenced the potential role of miRNAs in testicular and ovarian physiology. MiRNAs are also found to be associated with functional regulation of gonadal somatic cells, namely Leydig cells and Sertoli cells in testis and granulosa cells/cumulus cells in the ovary in steroid synthesis. Here, we review the recent works on the involvement and diverse roles of miRNAs in the development and physiology of gonadal cells in mammalian reproduction.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ovário
/
Testículo
/
MicroRNAs
Limite:
Animals
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cell Tissue Res
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Bangladesh