Role of Dicer in female fertility.
Dicer is an RNAse III endonuclease that is essential for the biogenesis of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. These small RNAs post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA gene expression through several mechanisms to affect key cellular events including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Recently, the role of Dicer function in female reproductive tissues has begun to be elucidated through the use of knockout mouse models. Loss of Dicer within ovarian granulosa cells, luteal tissue, oocyte, oviduct and, potentially, the uterus renders females infertile. This review discusses these early studies and other data describing the current understanding of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs in female reproduction.
Luense
Lacey J
LJ
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
Carletti
Martha Z
MZ
Christenson
Lane K
LK
D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000201:enzymology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D009865:Oocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000201:enzymology
D035683:MicroRNAs; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D043244:Ribonuclease III