Biomaterial Database

Small noncoding RNAs and male infertility. 2014

Lan-Tao Gou, and Peng Dai, and Mo-Fang Liu

Center for RNA Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology-University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.

Small noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a novel class of gene regulators that modulate gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic levels, and they play crucial roles in almost all cellular processes in eukaryotes. Recent studies have indicated that several types of small noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), endo-small interference RNAs (endo-siRNAs), and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), are expressed in the male germline and are required for spermatogenesis in animals. In this review, we summarize the recent knowledge of these small noncoding RNAs in male germ cells and their biological functions and mechanisms of action in animal spermatogenesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007248	Infertility, Male	The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility.	Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008297	Male		Males
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013091	Spermatogenesis	The process of germ cell development in the male from the primordial germ cells, through SPERMATOGONIA; SPERMATOCYTES; SPERMATIDS; to the mature haploid SPERMATOZOA.	Spermatocytogenesis,Spermiogenesis
D058727	RNA, Small Untranslated	Short RNA, about 200 base pairs in length or shorter, that does not code for protein.	Short Noncoding RNA,Small Non-Coding RNA,Small Non-Messenger RNA,Small Non-Protein-Coding RNA,Small Noncoding RNA,Small Untranslated RNA,sncRNA,sncRNAs,Non-Coding RNA, Small,Non-Messenger RNA, Small,Non-Protein-Coding RNA, Small,Noncoding RNA, Short,Noncoding RNA, Small,RNA, Short Noncoding,RNA, Small Non-Coding,RNA, Small Non-Messenger,RNA, Small Non-Protein-Coding,RNA, Small Noncoding,Small Non Coding RNA,Small Non Messenger RNA,Small Non Protein Coding RNA,Untranslated RNA, Small