The implication of microRNAs and endo-siRNAs in animal germline and early development.
Germ cells provide maternal mRNAs that are stored in the oocyte, and later translated at a specific time of development. In this context, gene regulation depends mainly on post-transcriptional mechanisms that contribute to keep maternal transcripts in a stable and translationally silent state. In recent years, small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs have emerged as key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. microRNAs control the translation efficiency and/or stability of targeted mRNAs. microRNAs are present in animal germ cells and maternally inherited microRNAs are abundant in early embryos. However, it is not known how microRNAs control the stability and translation of maternal transcripts. In this review, we will discuss the implication of germline microRNAs in regulating animal oogenesis and early embryogenesis as well as compare their roles with endo-siRNAs, small RNA species that share key molecular components with the microRNA pathway.
St-Patrick Research Group in Basic Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre (Hôtel-Dieu de Québec), Quebec City, Québec, Canada G1R 2J6; Laval University Cancer Research Centre, Quebec City, Québec, Canada G1R 2J6.
Alexandra
A
Dallaire
St-Patrick Research Group in Basic Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre (Hôtel-Dieu de Québec), Quebec City, Québec, Canada G1R 2J6; Laval University Cancer Research Centre, Quebec City, Québec, Canada G1R 2J6. Electronic address: Martin.Simard@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca.
Martin J
MJ
Simard
D000818:Animals; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005854:Germ Cells; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000502:physiology*
D035683:MicroRNAs; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering