关键词: miRNA, 黑腹果蝇, 结构, 功能, 研究策略

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which are widespread in the genome of animals and plants. Recognized as key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in eukaryotes, miRNAs inhibit the production of target proteins or induce degradation of mRNAs to control important physiological process by binding to specific region of target mRNAs via sequence complementarity. The identification of miRNAs in model insect Drosophila melanogaster was firstly summarized briefly in this article, and the research progress in structure, biosynthesis pathway and the mode of action were reviewed. miRNAs could regulate hundreds of target genes and their biological functions include the regulation of cell differentiation and apoptosis, organ and neural development, muscle differentiation, energy homeostasis and metamorphosis and/or the comprehensive regulation in D. melanogaster. miRNAs have the characteristics as “low abundance, short sequences and hard preconcentration”. The basic research strategies of obtaining miRNAs genes and identifying their functions include combining experimental biology with bioinformatics approaches. It is proposed that the identification of new miRNAs and their targets, and further study of their biological functions and genetic evolution may become important aspects in the research of insect miRNAs in the future.

Key words: miRNA, Drosophila melanogaster, structure, function, research strategies