Review
Neurosciences
Xiaobing Huang, Garry Wong
Summary: PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small and highly conserved non-coding transcripts that regulate gene expression to maintain genome stability. They play roles not only in protecting against transposable element invasion but also in sterility, tumorigenesis, metabolic homeostasis, neurodevelopment, and neurodegenerative diseases.
TRANSLATIONAL NEURODEGENERATION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Masaki Kawase, Kenji Ichiyanagi
Summary: In mammals, germ cells produce small regulatory RNAs called piRNAs, which have different characteristics and expression dynamics during development. The length of piRNAs is correlated with PIWI-like proteins, and retrotransposon-derived piRNAs are abundantly produced but decline in abundance as development proceeds.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Yuan Lin, Jian Zheng, Dongxin Lin
Summary: piRNAs, a class of small regulatory RNAs, are mainly involved in transposon control in germ cells and have been implicated in various malignant tumors and cancer hallmarks, demonstrating potential as cancer diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic tools.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
S. Horjales, M. Li Calzi, M. E. Francia, A. Cayota, M. R. Garcia-Silva
Summary: piRNAs function as genome defense mechanisms against transposable elements insertions within germ line cells, and recent studies have revealed their presence in non-gonadal somatic contexts. The presence of piRNA pathways has also been reported in bacteria, mollusks, and arthropods, with various functions including genome protection, gene expression regulation, and axon regeneration. In parasitic protozoa, the presence of PIWI-related machinery suggests the existence of an ancestral piRNA machinery that evolved in multicellular eukaryotes. Understanding current and ancestral PIWI/piRNAs will provide insights into genome integrity conservation and host defense mechanisms by protozoan parasites.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingcai Meng, Daniel Stoyko, Celine Marlin Andrews, Parthena Konstantinidou, Pavol Genzor, O. Timothy, Alexandra R. Elchert, Leif Benner, Sushil Sobti, Esther Y. Katz, Astrid D. Haase
Summary: The combination of genome-editing and epitope tagging provides a powerful strategy to study proteins while preserving their physiological expression patterns. A simple and fast strategy to generate stable, endogenously tagged alleles is presented, allowing for the emulation of wild type protein expression and functionality.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingyang Yuan, Yanjin Feng, Mingri Zhao, Ting Xu, Liuhong Li, Ke Guo, Deren Hou
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between hypoxia and Alzheimer's disease using bioinformatics methods. A total of 7681 differentially expressed genes were identified, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed 205 hub genes. Machine learning algorithms were applied to select four key genes, and an AD diagnostic model was established. The results suggest that hypoxia-related genes may increase the risk of AD.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xu Yang, Dongbin Chen, Shirui Zheng, Meiyan Yi, Zulian Liu, Yongjian Liu, Dehong Yang, Yujia Liu, Linmeng Tang, Chenxu Zhu, Yongping Huang
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of the BmHen1 gene in the development of eupyrene sperm in Bombyx mori. It provides evidence that spermatogenesis in this species does not depend on piRNAs. The study also identifies dysregulation of energy metabolism-related gene expression as the cause of defects in eupyrene sperm development.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Songqian Huang, Kazutoshi Yoshitake, Shuichi Asakawa
Summary: PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play important biological functions in metazoans, defending against transposable elements in germ lines. Recent studies have discovered ubiquitously expressed piRNAs in both soma and germ lines in humans and animals, offering new insights into their diverse functions. Although the exact role of piRNAs remains unclear, ongoing sRNA-seq studies are revealing different activities of piRNAs in the genome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ildar Gainetdinov, Joel Vega-Badillo, Katharine Cecchini, Ayca Bagci, Cansu Colpan, Dipayan De, Shannon Bailey, Amena Arif, Pei-Hsuan Wu, Ian J. MacRae, Phillip D. Zamore
Summary: In eukaryotes, small RNA guides direct the Argonaute protein family to regulate gene expression and defend the genome. PIWI proteins, a clade unique to animals, use PIWI-interacting RNAs to repress transposon transcripts. Unlike AGO proteins, PIWI proteins can efficiently cleave transcripts that are only partially paired to their guides. PIWI slicing tolerates mismatches to any target nucleotide, making it better equipped to target rapidly diverging transposons without new small RNA guides.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marc Graille
Summary: This study presents the crystal structure of the complex formed by eukaryotic ERH protein and a short peptide of its partner, providing valuable insights into the different biological functions governed by this highly conserved protein family.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jie He, Miaomiao Chen, Jiacheng Xu, Jie Fang, Zheng Liu, Hongbo Qi
Summary: This study investigated the changes in piRNA expression profile in preeclampsia patients, highlighting potential associations with extracellular matrix formation and tissue-specific functions. The findings provide new insights into the regulatory role of piRNA in the human placenta.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Pei-Hsuan Wu, Phillip D. Zamore
Summary: Researchers have proposed different but not conflicting models for how piRNAs regulate genes, and have suggested criteria for validating these models.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaolong Lv, Wen Xiao, Yana Lai, Zhaozhen Zhang, Hongdao Zhang, Chen Qiu, Li Hou, Qin Chen, Duanduan Wang, Yun Gao, Yuanyuan Song, Xinjia Shui, Qinghua Chen, Ruixin Qin, Shuang Liang, Wentao Zeng, Aimin Shi, Jianmin Li, Ligang Wu
Summary: The roles of different PIWIs in golden hamsters' reproduction were investigated. PIWIL1 and PIWIL3 are essential for female fertility, while PIWIL1 can compensate for PIWIL3 deficiency. PIWIL1 and PIWIL4 play crucial roles in male reproductive development, and loss of any PIWI expressed in testes leads to sterility and spermatogenesis disorders.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaobing Huang, Changliang Wang, Tianjiao Zhang, Rongzhen Li, Liang Chen, Ka Lai Leung, Merja Lakso, Qinghua Zhou, Hongjie Zhang, Garry Wong
Summary: PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play important roles in regulating gene expression and neurodegeneration. This study found dysregulated expression of piRNAs in disease models and brain samples of Parkinson's disease patients, suggesting their involvement in the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases. The results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amena Arif, Shannon Bailey, Natsuko Izumi, Todd A. Anzelon, Deniz M. Ozata, Cecilia Andersson, Ildar Gainetdinov, Ian J. MacRae, Yukihide Tomari, Phillip D. Zamore
Summary: Argonaute proteins use nucleic acid guides to bind specific DNA or RNA sequences. The PIWI proteins, a specialized class of Argonaute proteins, play an important role in fertility and gene regulation in animals. The production and function of piRNAs, guided by PIWI proteins, are crucial for spermatogenesis. Additionally, the GTSF1 protein enhances the endoribonuclease activity of PIWI proteins.
