MicroRNA-7对垂体促性腺激素合成和分泌的调节功能及分子机理

申请者前期的研究结果证明microRNA-7在小鼠垂体促性腺激素细胞高表达，microRNA-7全身基因敲除小鼠表现明显的生殖障碍。本项目主要以申请者的前期研究结果为基础，利用已建立的microRNA-7全身性和垂体特异性基因敲除小鼠为模型，结合相关的体内、外实验及细胞和分子生物学方法，重点研究microRNA-7在垂体促性腺激素合成和分泌过程中的功能及其细胞和分子机制。研究结果不仅具有重要的学术意义，为microRNAs调节内分泌激素的合成和分泌功能的调控机制提供新的理论依据和实验基础，而且将为动物生殖调控技术、动物生物工程效率的提高和生殖内分泌疾病治疗与相关药物的研究等提供重要的理论和实验支撑。

Our previous studies have demonstrated that microRNA-7 is highly expressed in the gonadotropes of mouse pituitary gland, and microRNA-7 knock-out results in the reproductive defects. Based on these results, the present project is thus proposed to identify the functions of microRNA-7 on the synthesis and secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and the related mechanism will be eluciated by using the cellular and molecular biological techniques. The project is cruical for our understanding the regulating mechanism of animal reproduction. In addition, the results of this study is important to the improvement of animal biotechnological efficency, therapies of the endocrine diseases.