【摘要】 近来,人们在多种生物中发现了一类新的小分子RNA———microRNA(miRNA).miRNA是20～24nt的单链RNA,在进化上具有高度的保守性,它通过与靶mRNA不完全互补配对,抑制蛋白翻译,调节内源基因表达,在基因调控中扮演了重要的角色.miRNA和siRNA(smallinterferenceRNA)在生成机制、作用途径等方面关系密切,它们既有区别又相互联系.小分子RNA的研究将是今后分子生物学的研究热点之一.更多还原

【Abstract】 Recently,a class of small RNA have been identified in a variety of organisms.These small RNAs,called miRNA (microRNA),are 21～24 nt single-stranded RNA,which keep high conservation in the process of evolution.They regulate gene expression and inhibit protein synthesis by binding to partially complementary 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of target mRNA.Some miRNA have been shown to play critical roles in gene regulation.There are many affinities in processing mechanism and functional approach between miRNA and siRNA.MiRNA distinct from but related to siRNA.The recent advance of miRNAs is reviewed.更多还原