[an error occurred while processing this directive]

HEREDITAS ›› 2013, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (11): 1253-1264.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1005.2013.01253

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characterization and identification of functional elements in non-coding DNA sequences

  

  1. 1. College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China; 
    2. State Key Laboratory Breeding Base Co-sponsored by Henan & Ministry of Science and Technology for Cell Differentiation Regulation, Xinxiang 453007, China
  • Received:2013-06-07 Revised:2013-07-31 Online:2013-11-20 Published:2013-10-23

Abstract:

The non-coding DNA sequences refer to non-protein-coding DNA sequences in genome. These sequences can bind with transcription factors or be transcribed as functional RNAs, thus participating in the regulation of many physiological activities and pathological processes. Aiming at gene expression regulation, this review focuses on the recent progress of non-coding DNA and illustrates their structures, functions and potential acting mechanisms. Meanwhile, some computational and experimental methods of identifying functional elements in the non-coding DNAs are introduced. Finally, further studies in this field are proposed.

Key words: non-coding DNA sequences, gene expression regulation, functional elements, transcription factor bind-ing sites, non-coding RNAs, epigenetics