Cyanobacterial bloom has become a frequent and problematic feature of many freshwater bodies over a wide geographical area, especially in China. Microcystis species are widely known for their production of the potent hepatotoxins called microcystins (MCs). While the toxicity of MCs on animals, including humans, has been well studied, the biological role of MCs on the organ-ism from which they originate has not been clearly elucidated. In this paper, we summarized MCs production, especially MCs bio-logical function with the development of technology in recent years. We reviewed and discussed the biological role of MCs in four as-pects: Serving as allelochemical, involving in photosynthesis, taking part in the wintering and recovery of Microcystis and in the sustaining and formation of Microcystis colonies. In addition, MCs may act as signal molecule inside and outside Microcystis cells, relevant research has also been reviewed. Global climatic change which favour cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic waters, may also influence the competition between MC-producing and non-MC-producing strains and their dominance. The study on the competition between MC-producing and non-MC-producing strains and the biological role of protein-bound MCs should be focused on for further investigation, fast development of variable -omics would favor the investigation.%我国淡水水体蓝藻水华的频繁发生已成为我国目前和今后长时期内面临的重大水环境问题。微囊藻（Microcystis）因其产生对人类健康具有危害的微囊藻毒素而尤其受到重视。研究者对构成蓝藻水华的主要种类、微囊藻毒素的毒性、毒理等方面的认识逐渐明晰，但对微囊藻毒素生物学功能的了解还相对较少。本文对微囊藻毒素的产生，尤其是近年来随着技术的发展在微囊藻毒素生物学功能方面的研究开展讨论：总结了微囊藻毒素可能作为化感物质、参与光合作用、在微囊藻的越冬或复苏中可能发挥的作用以及可能参与微囊藻群体形成及维持等4个方面的生物学功能；分析了微囊藻毒素作为信号分子的研究现状；探讨了全球气候变化及实验室模拟条件下微囊藻毒素产毒与无毒株的竞争，并对微囊藻毒素未来的研究热点及组学技术可能在其研究中的应用进行了展望。
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