Author(s)

Mi Meng¹, Bo Yu^2*

Affiliation(s)

¹Department of Thoracic Oncology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.

²Department of Urology, The second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.

Corresponding Author

Bo Yu

ABSTRACT

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a type of small non-coding RNA linked to the PIWI branch of the Argonaute family of proteins. PiRNA was initially identified in animal germline cells and is essential for germline development. Recent findings suggest that beyond reproductive functions, aberrant expression of PIWI/piRNA is strongly associated with several human cancers. The PIWI-piRNA complex in the reproductive system preserves genomic integrity by suppressing transposable elements. Recent research has also demonstrated that the PIWI-piRNA complex regulates protein-coding genes, thereby impacting the development and progression of human tumors. With further insights into piRNA biology, it has become clear that in addition to directly cleaving and degrading target RNA akin to the Ago/miRNA family, PIWI proteins/piRNA can regulate human cancers through epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation and RNA methylation. In this article, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying piRNA biogenesis and the latest functional insights into piRNA's role in human cancers, along with recent research advancements.

KEYWORDS

ncRNA (Non-coding RNA); Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA); Malignant neoplasms; Biological marker

CITE THIS PAPER

Mi Meng, Bo Yu. Current research status of PIWI-piRNA in malignant tumors. World Journal of Biomedical Sciences. 2025, 3(1): 17-23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/wjbs3016.

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