系统性鉴定和分析线虫组织/细胞特异lincRNA（基因间区长片段非编码RNA）

在大多数生物基因组里，过去被称为'暗物质'的非蛋白编码区近十年来被揭示出可产生一定丰度的非编码RNA转录本（non-coding RNA，ncRNA）。这些ncRNA已被证明参与调节各类生命活动，因而丰富了'中心法则'的内涵。本申请拟用模式动物秀丽隐杆线虫，基于自主建立的一套辨识、鉴定ncRNA表达和功能的新方法，在全基因组和整体水平上研究基因间区长片段非编码RNA（long intergenic ncRNA，lincRNA）基因如何在线虫组织/细胞特异性表达，以及如何参与个体生长、分化、发育过程的精密调控。本申请还将进一步探讨种质细胞中lincRNAs的功能与性别发育、分化的关系。这是一项自然科学基金资助项目的合理延续。

In almost all living organisms, the so-called 'dark matter of genome', the non-protein coding region, has been revealed to be transcribed as the non-coding RNA (ncRNA) at diverse levels. It's been clearly evident in recent decade that ncRNA participates in various life processes, representing an exciting addition to the 'central dogma'. At the whole genome level, we plan to use a model organism, C. elegans, and employ a novel way of lincRNA (long intergenic ncRNA) identification and characterization, which has been developed by ourselves, to learn how lincRNAs genes are regulated in a tissue/cell specific manner, and how lincRNAs regulate the delicate processes of growth, differentiation and development of the worm. We also plan to study how germline-specific lincRNAs participate in sex development and differentiation. This is a logic extension of a previously funded NSFC project.