Abstract:

microRNA (miRNA) is a class of endogenous gene which encoding non-coding single stranded RNA molecules with length about 21~22 nucleotides. They regulate the expression of target genes through gene silencing. With the further research of large-scale transcriptome, a large number of microRNAs were found be related to animal phenotypes. This article briefly introduced the basic features of microRNAs, and summarized the rescent progress on determining traits and in animal. A growing number of miRNA is associated with a variety of animals important phenotypes. It probably provided a new way for studying of Animal phenotypic regulation.

Key words: microRNA;transcriptomics;Phenotypic regulation;molecular breeding

摘要：

microRNA(miRNA)是一类由内源基因编码的长度约为21~22个核苷酸的非编码单链RNA分子,以基因沉默的方式来调控靶基因的表达。随着大规模转录组学研究的进行和深入,发现了大量与动物表型相关的microRNA。简要介绍了microRNA的基本特征,概述了近年来在动物性状决定及表型关联性分析方面的研究进展。越来越多的miRNA与多种动物的重要表型相关联,将为动物表型调控的研究提供一个新的思路。

关键词: microRNA;转录组学;表型调控;分子育种