Functional Analysis of microRNAs in C. elegans spermatogenesis

7.项目总结 功能性配子的产生对所有有性繁殖的生存至关重要 物种。我们的目标是确定起控制关键过程的microRNAs。 线虫的精子发生。MicroRNAs是基因表达不可或缺的调节器，是必需的 用于动物发育和生理学。已发现男性患者的microRNAs调控不当 因素不育症以及睾丸生殖细胞肿瘤。然而，调控的具体途径和靶点 从个体来看，精子发生过程中的microRNAs仍然很大程度上是未知的。MicroRNAs的研究 在线虫中，一直有助于确定单个microRNA调节靶标的核心原则 在发育过程中。这项工作将为了解microRNA的功能原理提供新的见解。 在精子发生过程中起作用的调控网络。 MicroRNAs是哺乳动物精子发生所必需的，但它们在线虫精子发生中的作用 仍然没有明确的特征。这项工作将解决三个核心问题：1)哪些具体事件 精子发生需要microRNAs吗？2)在男性性腺中表达哪些单个microRNAs的功能 以及调节精子发生的功能？3)mir-44受调控的途径和直接靶点是什么 MicroRNAs家族？这项工作将确定精子发生、途径和直接靶点的特定缺陷。 由mir-44家族监管。这项工作将为今后的全面调查提供资源 定义在雄性生殖系中作用的microRNAs子集的功能，以调节 精子发生。

7. PROJECT SUMMARY The production of functional gametes is of central importance to the survival of all sexually reproducing species. Our goal is to identify the microRNAs that function to control the essential process of spermatogenesis in C. elegans. microRNAs are indispensable regulators of gene expression that are required for animal development and physiology. microRNAs have been found to be misregulated in patients with male factor infertility as well as in testicular germ cell tumors. However, the specific pathways and targets regulated by individual microRNAs in the process of spermatogenesis remain largely unknown. The study of microRNAs in C. elegans has been instrumental in defining the core principles of individual microRNA regulation of targets in developmental pathways. This work will provide new insights into the principles of microRNA function in regulatory networks that function in the process of spermatogenesis. microRNAs are required for mammalian spermatogenesis but their role in C. elegans spermatogenesis remains uncharacterized. This work will address three central questions: 1) What specific events of spermatogenesis require microRNAs? 2) What individual microRNAs function are expressed in the male gonad and function to regulate spermatogenesis? and 3) What pathways and direct targets are regulated the mir-44 family of microRNAs? This work will identify specific defects in spermatogenesis, pathways, and direct targets regulated by the mir-44 family. This work will provide a resource for future investigation to comprehensively define the functions of the subset of microRNAs that act in the male germ line to regulate the process of spermatogenesis.