Author:
Wu Zeyu,Yu Xiao,Zhang Shuijun,He Yuting,Guo Wenzhi
Abstract
AbstractNon-coding RNA has aroused great research interest recently, they play a wide range of biological functions, such as regulating cell cycle, cell proliferation, and intracellular substance metabolism. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are emerging small non-coding RNAs that are 24–31 nucleotides in length. Previous studies on piRNAs were mainly limited to evaluating the binding to the PIWI protein family to play the biological role. However, recent studies have shed more lights on piRNA functions; aberrant piRNAs play unique roles in many human diseases, including diverse lethal cancers. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of piRNAs expression and the specific functional roles of piRNAs in human diseases is crucial for developing its clinical applications. Presently, research on piRNAs mainly focuses on their cancer-specific functions but lacks investigation of their expressions and epigenetic modifications. This review discusses piRNA’s biogenesis and functional roles and the recent progress of functions of piRNA/PIWI protein complexes in human diseases.
Funder
Henan Provincial Medical Science and Technology Research Plan
Leading Talents of Zhongyuan Science and Technology Innovation
Outstanding Foreign Scientist Studio in Henan Province
Henan Province science and technology department technology research project
Henan Medical Science and Technology Joint Building Program
Gandan Xiangzhao Research Fund
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Cell Biology,Molecular Biology,Biochemistry