Abstract：microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs in eukaryotic cells and play a regulatory role. They are highly conserved among species. miRNAs are widely involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression including protein translation by targeting mRNAs, mediating mRNA degradation or translation inhibition. Spermatogenesis is a complex process in which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) proliferate and differentiate into mature spermatozoas. It includes three main stages: SSCs mitosis, spermatocyte meiosis, and spermatid metamorphosis and differentiation. Spermatogenesis depends on post-transcriptional regulation in which miRNAs are essential regulators. Recently, it has been observed that a large number of miRNAs are expressed in spermatogenic cells, among which many are highly, specifically, or preferentially expressed and play vital roles in the proliferation, differentiation and developmental process. Herein we review the brief discovery history and function of miRNAs, the process of spermatogenesis, the importance of miRNAs in regulating spermatogenesis, and the fine regulation of miRNAs at each of three developmental stages of spermatogenesis mentioned above, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the exploration of prevention and precision treatment of male infertility and other diseases. Furthermore, the future research directions in this field were proposed.
唐玉莲，倪安妮，李根亮. microRNA在精子发生中的作用[J]. 中国生物化学与分子生物学报, 2020, 36(8): 903-908.
TANG Yu-Lian, NI An-Ni, LI Gen-Liang. The Role of microRNAs in Spermatogenesis. Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biol, 2020, 36(8): 903-908.
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