title: [Advance on Dicer gene and its role in female reproduction].
abstract: Dicer is an RNAse III endonuclease that is essential for the biogenesis of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. These small RNAs transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA expression through RNA interference mechanisms. Recently, the function of Dicer in female reproduction has begun to be elucidated through the use of knockout mouse models. Several latest studies have indicated that Dicer gene plays a key role in female reproductive processes such as oocyte maturation, early embryonic development and implantation and steroidgenesis. When Dicer expression is decreased in female reproductive tissues or cells, it will cause infertility. In this article, author discuss the role of Dicer gene in female reproductive tract, and advance of Dicer gene study in female reproductive events.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632 P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei-jie
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D043244:Ribonuclease III