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Emerging functions of piwi-interacting RNAs in diseases |
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| Authors: | Kai Wang Tao Wang Xiang-Qian Gao Xin-Zhe Chen Fei Wang Lu-Yu Zhou |
| Affiliation: | 1. Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China Contribution: Data curation (equal), Formal analysis (equal), Methodology (equal), Writing - original draft (lead);2. Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China;3. Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China Contribution: Formal analysis (equal), Visualization (supporting);4. Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China Contribution: Investigation (equal), Writing - original draft (equal);5. Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China Contribution: Formal analysis (equal), Writing - original draft (equal) |
| Abstract: | PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are recently discovered small non-coding RNAs consisting of 24-35 nucleotides, usually including a characteristic 5-terminal uridine and an adenosine at position 10. PIWI proteins can specifically bind to the unique structure of the 3′ end of piRNAs. In the past, it was thought that piRNAs existed only in the reproductive system, but recently, it was reported that piRNAs are also expressed in several other human tissues with tissue specificity. Growing evidence shows that piRNAs and PIWI proteins are abnormally expressed in various diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and ageing, and may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review aims to discuss the current research status regarding piRNA biogenetic processes, functions, mechanisms and emerging roles in various diseases. |
| Keywords: | ageing biomarker cancer neurodegenerative diseases PIWI-interacting RNAs |