The function and regulation mechanism of piRNAs in human cancers

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are mainly expressed in mammalian germ cells, playing an important role in maintaining germ line DNA integrity, inhibiting transposon transcription and translation, participating in heterochromatin formation, epigenetic regulation, and germ cell genesis. They combine w...

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Published inHistology and histopathology Vol. 36; no. 8; p. 807
Main Authors Wu, Wu, Lu, Bing-Feng, Jiang, Ru-Qi, Chen, Shuo
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Spain 01.08.2021
Subjects
Animals
Carcinogenesis - genetics
Epigenesis, Genetic
Gene Expression Regulation
Gene Silencing
Humans
Neoplasms - genetics
Neoplasms - metabolism
Neoplasms - pathology
RNA, Small Interfering - genetics
RNA, Small Interfering - metabolism
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Summary:Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are mainly expressed in mammalian germ cells, playing an important role in maintaining germ line DNA integrity, inhibiting transposon transcription and translation, participating in heterochromatin formation, epigenetic regulation, and germ cell genesis. They combine with P-element induced wimpy testis (PIWI) proteins to form effector complexes known as piRNA-induced silencing complexes (pi-RISC) to regulate the gene silencing pathway. Recent evidence suggests that numerous piRNAs, with tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressing functions in cancer development, are dysregulated in tumor tissues, and are related to clinical prognosis. In the present review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the function and regulatory mechanisms of piRNAs in the tumorigenesis and progression of cancer, providing evidence for the potential use of piRNAs in the diagnosis and clinical treatment of cancer.
ISSN:1699-5848
DOI:10.14670/HH-18-323