The burgeoning importance of PIWI-interacting RNAs in cancer progression.

Abstract

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNA molecules that specifically bind to piwi protein family members to exert regulatory functions in germ cells. Recent studies have found that piRNAs, as tissue-specific molecules, both play oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles in cancer progression, including cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance and stemness. Additionally, the atypical manifestation of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in various malignancies presents a promising strategy for the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the diagnosis and management of tumors. Nonetheless, the precise functions of piRNAs in cancer progression and their underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully comprehended. This review aims to examine current research on the biogenesis and functions of piRNA and its burgeoning importance in cancer progression, thereby offering novel perspectives on the potential utilization of piRNAs and piwi proteins in the management and treatment of advanced cancer.

• Authors: Xinpei Deng, Tianle Liao, Jindong Xie, Da Kang, Yiwei He, Yuying Sun, Zhangling Wang, Yongluo Jiang, Xuan Miao, Yixuan Yan, Hailin Tang, Lewei Zhu, Yutian Zou, Peng Liu
• Journal: Science China. Life sciences (Sci China Life Sci) Vol. 67 Issue 4 Pg. 653-662 (Apr 2024) ISSN: 1869-1889 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 38198029 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2023. Science China Press.

Chemical References

• Piwi-Interacting RNA
• RNA, Small Interfering
• RNA, Small Untranslated
• Argonaute Proteins

Topics

• Humans
• Piwi-Interacting RNA
• RNA, Small Interfering (genetics, metabolism)
• Neoplasms (metabolism)
• RNA, Small Untranslated
• Argonaute Proteins (genetics, metabolism)