Role of Related Regulatory Long Noncoding RNAs on Mammalian Spermatogenesis

Abstract

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcribed by RNA molecules, which are longer than 200 nucleotides that lack an open reading frame of significant length and possess no obvious protein-coding capacity. Studies have shown that lncRNAs participate in many physiological processes such as gene imprinting and X chromosome inactivation. They regulate gene expression mainly through DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling. LncRNAs can also affect the development of diseases, and they can be useful to diagnose and treat diseases. With the development of new sequencing and microarray techniques, hundreds of lncRNAs involved in spermatogenesis have been identified, but their functions in the testis are undefined. Herein, we will discuss the biology and regulation of lncRNAs, as well as the bioinformatics tools and searchable databases used to study them in the testis. We hope that this information will provide new insights in treating male reproductive diseases.

Keywords

• Epigenetics; Long Noncoding RNA; Long Noncoding RNA Database; Spermatogenesis