果蝇微小RNA及其在衰老过程中的作用

微小RNA(microRNA,miRNA)是一类长度在22 nt左右的内源非编码小RNA,广泛存在于动物、植物、病毒等多种有机体中,是机体正常衰老与疾病的重要调控因子。本文对果蝇不同生长时期miRNA的表达模式、主要衰老相关信号通路以及与衰老相关的miRNA进行了综述。在果蝇的不同发育时期均有特定的miRNA发挥重要作用,其表达模式与功能相关;miRNA参与了主要衰老分子信号通路的调控,如胰岛素/胰岛素样生长因子(IIS)通路和雷帕霉素靶蛋白(TOR)通路。研究表明,miRNA通过调控衰老相关信号通路中的靶基因,进而促进或延缓果蝇衰老,如miR-34,miR-8,miR-14,miR let7和miR-277等。因此,研究参与衰老调控的miRNA,为阐明衰老机制及抗衰老药物的设计奠定了基础。

MicroRNAs in Drosophila and their roles in aging

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs with a length around 22 nt, are widely distributed in various organisms such as animals, plants and viruses. miRNA is an important regulatory factor for aging and disease. Here, we reviewed the expression patterns of miRNA during different developmental stages of  Drosophila melanogaster, the expression profiles of miRNA in major signaling pathways responsible for aging, and finally the roles of miRNA in aging. The specific miRNA plays an important role in different developmental stages of  D. melanogaster and the expression pattern of miRNA is related to its functions. The genetic pathways of insulin/IGF signaling (IIS) and target of rapamycin (TOR) are reported as important signaling pathways for aging. Some studies have showed that miR-34, miR-8, miR-14, miR let7, and miR-277 could either shorten or extend lifespan through regulating the target genes in aging related pathways. Studies on miRNA involved in aging provide the basis for the research on molecular mechanisms of aging and help to design the strategies for prevention of age-related diseases.