PIWI Interacting RNAs Perspectives: a New Avenues in Future Cancer Investigations

Overview

Journal Bioengineered

Date 2021 Nov 1

PMID 34723746

Citations 10

Authors

Pooneh Mokarram

Maryam Niknam

Mohammadamin Sadeghdoust

Farnaz Aligolighasemabadi

Morvarid Siri

Sanaz Dastghaib

Hassan Brim

Hassan Ashktorab

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

As a currently identified small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) category, the PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial mediators of cell biology. The human genome comprises over 30.000 piRNA genes. Although considered a new field in cancer research, the piRNA pathway is shown by the existing evidence as an active pathway in a variety of different types of cancers with critical impacts on main aspects of cancer progression. Among the regulatory molecules that contribute to maintaining the dynamics of cancer cells, the P-element Induced WImpy testis (PIWI) proteins and piRNAs, as new players, have not been broadly studied so far. Therefore, the identification of cancer-related piRNAs and the assessment of target genes of piRNAs may lead to better cancer prevention and therapy strategies. This review articleaimed to highlight the role and function of piRNAs based on existing data. Understanding the role of piRNA in cancer may provide perspectives on their applications as particular biomarker signature in diagnosis in early stage, prognosis and therapeutic strategies.

Citing Articles

Clinical implications of Alu-based cell-free DNA and serum onco-piRNA monitoring in colorectal cancer management.

Taghizadeh-Teymorloei M, Jafarlou V, Matin S, Raeisi M, Roosta Y, Mansouri-Derakhshani S Clin Transl Oncol. 2025; .

PMID: 39969763 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-025-03863-8.

Non-coding RNAs secreted by renal cancer include piR_004153 that promotes migration of mesenchymal stromal cells.

Boguslawska J, Grzanka M, Poplawski P, Zarychta-Wisniewska W, Burdzinska A, Hanusek K Cell Commun Signal. 2025; 23(1):3.

PMID: 39754169 PMC: 11697636. DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-02001-1.

Non-Coding RNAs and Innate Immune Responses in Cancer.

Diaz C, Hernandez-Huerta M, Perez-Campos Mayoral L, Villegas M, Zenteno E, Martinez Cruz M Biomedicines. 2024; 12(9).

PMID: 39335585 PMC: 11429077. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12092072.

The role of piRNAs in predicting and prognosing in cancer: a focus on piRNA-823 (a systematic review and meta-analysis).

Taghizadeh M, Jafari-Koshki T, Jafarlou V, Raeisi M, Alizadeh L, Roosta Y BMC Cancer. 2024; 24(1):484.

PMID: 38627675 PMC: 11022431. DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12180-2.

The potential of piR-823 as a diagnostic biomarker in oncology: A systematic review.

Sohn E, Han M, Park Y, Kim Y, Oh S PLoS One. 2023; 18(12):e0294685.

PMID: 38060527 PMC: 10703285. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294685.

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