REVIEW: Molecular Functions of Small Regulatory Noncoding RNA

---

Yong Huang^*, Ji Liang Zhang, Xue Li Yu, Ting Sheng Xu, Zhan Bin Wang, and Xiang Chao Cheng

Animal Science and Technology College, He Nan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang City, 471003, Henan Province, PR China; fax: +86 (379) 6428-2333; E-mail: huangyong1979111@126.com; 15036328193@126.com

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received August 31, 2012; Revision received October 31, 2012

---

Recently, using large-scale genomic sequencing, a great number of small noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) has been discovered. Short ncRNAs can be classified into three major classes – small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA). These short ncRNAs ranging from 20 to 300 nt in size are now recognized as a new paradigm of gene regulation for controlling many biological processes. In this paper, we review the biogenesis and recent research on the functions of small regulatory non-coding RNAs and aim at understanding their important functions in living organisms.

---

KEY WORDS: miRNAs, siRNAs, piRNAs, biogenesis, regulation, functions

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297913030024

---