title: MicroRNAs in ovarian function and disorders.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small, noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules approximately 22 nucleotides in length. miRNAs are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of various important cellular physiological and pathological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and hormone biosynthesis and secretion. Ovarian follicles are the key functional units of female reproduction, and the development of these follicles is a complex and precise process accompanied by oocyte maturation as well as surrounding granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation. Numerous miRNAs expressed in the ovary regulate ovarian follicle growth, atresia, ovulation and steroidogenesis and play an important role in ovarian disorders. This review considers recent advances in the identification of miRNAs involved in the regulation of ovarian function as well as the possible influence of miRNAs on ovarian-derived disorders, such as ovarian cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome and premature ovarian failure. An improved understanding of the regulation of ovarian function by miRNAs may shed light on new strategies for ovarian biology and ovarian disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.|Department of Reproduction Regulation, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China. xiaokui_yang@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xiaokui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs