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Functions and mechanism of noncoding RNA in the somatic cells of the testis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2019

Chunjie Li ,
Baiqi Chen  and
Jing Wang Open the ORCID record for Jing Wang [Opens in a new window]
Chunjie Li
Affiliation:
Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China
Baiqi Chen
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China
Jing Wang*
Affiliation:
Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China
*
Author for correspondence: Jing Wang, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China. Tel: +86 15727635809. E-mail: Wangj8001@163.com
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Summary

ncRNAs are involved in numerous biological processes by regulating gene expression and cell stability. Studies have shown that ncRNAs also contribute to spermatogenesis. Leydig cells (LCs) and Sertoli cells (SCs) are somatic cells of the testis that support spermatogenesis and are vital to male fertility. In this review, we summarized the findings from studies on ncRNAs in SCs and LCs. In SCs, ncRNAs play key roles in phagocytosis, immunoprotection and development of SCs. In LCs, ncRNAs are involved in steroidogenesis, in particular production of testosterone as well as development of LCs. Here, we discuss the possible target genes and functions of ncRNAs in both types of cells. These ncRNAs regulate the expression of target genes or mRNA coding sequence regions, resulting in a chain reaction that influences cell function. In addition, microRNAs, lncRNAs, piRNA-like RNAs (pilRNAs) and natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are discussed in this review. In summary, we suggest that these ncRNAs might act in coordination to control spermatogenesis and maintain the environmental homeostasis of the testis.

Keywords

Leydig cellsmiRNAsncRNAsSertoli cells
Type
Review Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 87 - 92
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019

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