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PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) with 24-32 nucleotides (nt), were initially identified in the reproductive system. Unlike microRNAs (miRNAs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), piRNAs normally guide P-element-induced wimpy testis protein (PIWI) families to slice extensively complementary transposon transcripts without the seed pairing. Numerous studies have shown that piRNAs are abundantly expressed in the brain, and many of them are aberrantly regulated in central neural system (CNS) disorders. However, the role of piRNAs in the related developmental and pathological processes is unclear. The elucidation of piRNAs/PIWI would greatly improve the understanding of CNS development and ultimately lead to novel strategies to treat neural diseases. In this review, we summarized the relevant structure, properties, and databases of piRNAs and their functional roles in neural development and degenerative disorders. We hope that future studies of these piRNAs will facilitate the development of RNA-based therapeutics for CNS disorders.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genes15060653 | DOI Listing |
Mol Cell
September 2025
Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address:
PIWI-clade Argonaute proteins and their associated PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are essential guardians of genome integrity, silencing transposable elements through distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic pathways. Nuclear PIWI proteins direct heterochromatin formation at transposon loci, while cytoplasmic PIWIs cleave transposon transcripts to initiate piRNA amplification. Both processes rely on target RNA recognition by PIWI-piRNA complexes, yet how this leads to effector recruitment is unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Cell
September 2025
Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address:
In animal germ cells, PIWI proteins use piRNAs to detect active selfish genetic elements. Base-pairing to a piRNA defines transposon recognition, but how this interaction triggers a defensive response remains unclear. Here, we identify a transposon recognition complex composed of the silkworm proteins Siwi, GTSF1, and Maelstrom.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi
September 2025
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan 250012, China.
To investigate the mechanism by which PIWI interacting RNA piR-hsa-26925 regulates the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma through Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)-mediated m6A methylation modification. The expression levels of piR-hsa-26925 were detected in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (H1650, H1299, H1975, and A549) and normal lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Lung adenocarcinoma cells were transfected using transient RNA transfection technology, divided into a piR-hsa-26925 knockdown group in the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line and a negative control (NC-1) group; the lung adenocarcinoma H1299 cell line piR-hsa-26925 overexpression group and negative control (NC-2) group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Adv Res
August 2025
Microbiology and intelligent biomanufacturing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. Electronic address:
Introduction: Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) have been proven to play crucial roles in various biological processes such as development, stress responses, virulence, and pathogenicity. However, to the best of our knowledge, none of the currently available databases can store, manage, and analyze the vast amounts of sncRNA sequencing data. A comprehensive web-based platform for the integration and analysis of sncRNAs in fungi and their potential functions is still lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomedicines
July 2025
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
: Neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are increasingly recognized as conditions arising from multifaceted interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and epigenetic modifications. Among epigenetic mechanisms, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), have gained attention as pivotal regulators of gene expression during neurodevelopment. These RNA species do not encode proteins but modulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, thereby influencing neuronal differentiation, synaptogenesis, and plasticity.
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