转录因子与microRNA在基因表达调控中的功能联系及差异

转录因子和微RNA(microRNA)是最大的两类反式作用因子,它们是基因表达调控的重要调控因子.它们协调发挥调控作用,精细调控基因的表达,在细胞分化和动物生长发育过程中发挥重要的作用.随着对转录因子和microRNA研究的深入,人们发现转录因子和microRNA在基因表达调控网络中关系紧密,它们的分子作用机制有许多相似之处,两者都通过各自的顺式作用元件调控基因表达,且作用的方式类似.但转录因子和microRNA也存在不同之处,转录因子既可以激活基因表达,也可抑制基因表达,而microRNA主要是抑制基因表达.另外,转录因子调控区的复杂性一般高于microRNA的调控区域.本文综述了转录因子和microRNA的异同点,并提出了未来转录因子和microRNA的研究方向.

Connections and Differences between Gene Expression Regulated by Transcription Factors and MicroRNAs

Transcription factors (TF) and microRNAs (miRNA) may be regarded as the two largest families of trans-acting factors to regulate gene expression. They function cooperatively and play important roles in a variety of cellular and developmental processes. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which TF and miRNAs regulate gene expression has progressed tremendously in recent years. TF and miRNA form highly connected networks and share many similarities for their roles in gene regulation. Both transcription factors and microRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to cis-regulatory elements, and function in similar modes of action. However, there are differences in gene regulation between them. Transcription factors can either activate or repress gene expression, but microRNAs mostly repress gene expression. In addition, the gene regulatory region of transcription factor targets is often more complex than that of microRNA targets. This paper summarizes the similarities and differences between transcription factors and microRNAs in gene regulation, and proposes possible directions for future research on transcription factors and microRNAs.