Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

1 Recombinant proteins Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 2- Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Research Group, Khayam Bioeconomy Institute (KBI), Mashhad, Iran 3- Food Science Research Group, Khayam Bioeconomy Institute (KBI), Mashhad, Iran

5 Cell and Molecular Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

6 National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

7 Department of Biology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

8 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.30498/ijb.2023.334488.3316

Abstract

Context: Although for a long time, it was thought that intervening sequences (introns) were junk DNA without any function, their critical roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms in genome regulation have only recently come to light. Introns not only carry information for splicing, but they also play many supportive roles in gene regulation at different levels. They are supposed to function as useful tools in various biological processes, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Introns can contribute to numerous biological processes, including gene silencing, gene imprinting, transcription, mRNA metabolism, mRNA nuclear export, mRNA localization, mRNA surveillance, RNA editing, NMD, translation, protein stability, ribosome biogenesis, cell growth, embryonic development, apoptosis, molecular evolution, genome expansion, and proteome diversity through various mechanisms.

Evidence acquisition: In order to fulfill the objectives of this study, the following databases were searched: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, Open Access Journals, and Google Scholar. Only articles published in English were included.

Results & Conclusions: The intervening sequences of eukaryotic genes have critical functions in genome regulation, as well as in molecular evolution. Here, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of how introns influence genome regulation, as well as their effects on molecular evolution. Moreover, therapeutic strategies based on intron sequences are discussed. According to the obtained results, a thorough understanding of intron functional mechanisms could lead to new opportunities in disease diagnosis and therapies, as well as in biotechnology applications.

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