长非编码RNA（lncRNA）是非编码RNA的重要家族成员，它们主要以RNA的形式参与多层次的调控，包括表观遗传学调控、转录调控以及转录后调控等。研究表明，基因组中内源性病毒序列也是lncRNA的一个重要来源。但对这种源自基因组内源性病毒序列的lncRNA的功能及调控机制并不十分清楚。通过已鉴定鸡内源性白血病反转录病毒（ALVE1）能产生反义lncRNA，我们推测这种反义lncRNA可能与内源性反转录病毒活性调控以及细胞天然免疫有关。此研究旨在：（1）鉴定ALVE1反义lncRNA及其表达规律；（2）确定其反义lncRNA表达的调控机制；（3）研究其反义lncRNA的功能；（4）探讨其反义lncRNA与其他生物大分子的作用机制。研究结果不仅对表观遗传学尤其是内源性病毒表观遗传学的研究具有重大意义，也对病毒学和免疫学的发展以及病毒相关肿瘤以及畜牧业的抗病育种研究具有重要意义。

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), an important member of non-coding RNA family, is a class of RNA molecules longer than 200nt, which mainly function in the form of RNA involved in multi-level regulation, including epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. Studies have shown that endogenous viral sequences are important sources of lncRNAs in the genome but their function and regulation mechanism are unclear. Avian endogenous leukosis rvirus (ALVE1) has been identified to produce an antisense long non-coding RNA and we hypothesize that the antisense lncRNA may be associated with endogenous retrovirus activity and cellular regulation of innate immunity. This study aims at: (1) identifying ALVE1 antisense lncRNA and its expression pattern; (2) determining the regulatory mechanisms of ALVE1 antisense lncRNA; (3) elucidating functions of ALVE1 antisense lncRNA and (4) exploring interaction of ALVE1 antisense lncRNA with other biological macromolecules including proteins，DNAs and RNAs. The project is of important significance not only for epigenetics especially epigenetics of endogenous virus, but also for virology，immunology and studies of virus-related tumors and the assistance breeding of animals.