Mitochondrial PIWI-interacting RNAs are novel biomarkers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Non-coding transcriptome profiles in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common urological malignancy with an increasing incidence. The development of molecular biomarkers that can predict the response to treatment and guide personalized therapy selection would substantially improve patient outcomes. Dysregulation of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) has been shown to have a role in the pathogenesis of ccRCC. Thus, an increasing number of studies are being carried out with a focus on the identification of ncRNA biomarkers in ccRCC tissue samples and the connection of these markers with patients' prognosis, pathological stage and grade (including metastatic potential), and therapy outcome. RNA sequencing analysis led to the identification of several ncRNA biomarkers that are dysregulated in ccRCC and might have a role in ccRCC development. These ncRNAs have the potential to be prognostic and predictive biomarkers for ccRCC, with prospective applications in personalized treatment selection. Research on ncRNA biomarkers in ccRCC is advancing, but clinical implementation remains preliminary owing to challenges in validation, standardization and reproducibility. Comprehensive studies and integration of ncRNAs into clinical trials are essential to accelerate the clinical use of these biomarkers.

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

INTRODUCTION

This article examines the potential of using liquid biopsy with piRNAs to study cancer survival outcomes. While previous studies have explored the relationship between piRNA expression and cancer patient outcomes, a comprehensive investigation is still lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature.

METHODS

We searched major online databases up to February 2024 to identify articles reporting on the role of piRNA in cancer patient survival outcomes. Our meta-analysis used a random-effects model to pool hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and assess the prognostic value of deregulated piRNA-823. For survival analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method and COX analysis were used.

RESULTS

Out of 6104 articles screened, 20 met our inclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed that dysregulated piRNA expression is associated with cancer patient survival outcomes. Specifically, our meta-analysis found that overexpression of piR-823 is significantly linked with poorer overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer and renal cell cancer (HR: 3.82, 95% CI = [1.81, 8.04], I2 = 70%).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that various piRNAs may play a role in cancer survival outcomes and that piRNA-823 in particular holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for multiple human cancers.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Our systematic review and meta-analysis of piRNA-823 has important implications for cancer survivors. Our findings suggest that piRNA-823 can be used as a prognostic biomarker for predicting cancer recurrence and survival rates. This information can help clinicians develop personalized treatment plans for cancer survivors, which can improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Critical appraisal of the piRNA-PIWI axis in cancer and cancer stem cells

Small noncoding RNAs play an important role in various disease states, including cancer. PIWI proteins, a subfamily of Argonaute proteins, and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) were originally described as germline-specific molecules that inhibit the deleterious activity of transposable elements. However, several studies have suggested a role for the piRNA-PIWI axis in somatic cells, including somatic stem cells. Dysregulated expression of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in human tumors implies that, analogously to their roles in undifferentiated cells under physiological conditions, these molecules may be important for cancer stem cells and thus contribute to cancer progression. We provide an overview of piRNA biogenesis and critically review the evidence for the role of piRNA-PIWI axis in cancer stem cells. In addition, we examine the potential of piRNAs and PIWI proteins to become biomarkers in cancer.

PIWIL1 interacting RNA piR-017724 inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inhibits the development of HCC by silencing PLIN3

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers. Worldwide, liver cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Recent studies have found that PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) participate in the occurrence and development of various tumors and are closely related to the growth, invasion, metastasis and prognosis of malignant tumors. Studies on the role and functional mechanism of piRNAs in HCC development and progression are limited.

Methods

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of piR-017724 in both HCC tissues and cells. Based on the clinical data of HCC patients, the clinical and prognostic value of piR-017724 was further analyzed. Then, targeted silencing and overexpressing of piR-017724 in HCC cells was further used to examine the biological functions of piR-017724. In addition, the downstream target protein of piR-017724 was predicted and validated through high-throughput sequencing and public databases.

Results

The piR-017724 was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cells, and the downregulation of piR-017724 was associated with tumor stage and poor prognosis in HCC. The piR-017724 inhibitor promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while the piR-017724 mimic had the opposite effect. However, the piR-017724 did not affect apoptosis of HCC cells. High-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR confirmed a reciprocal relationship between piR-017724 and PLIN3. Therefore, we speculate that piR-017724 may inhibit the development and progression of HCC by affecting the downstream protein PLIN3.

Conclusions

Our study shows that piR-017724, which is lowly expressed in HCC, inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells and may affect the development of hepatocellular liver cancer through PLIN3, which provides new insights into the clinical application of piR-017724 in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PiRNA Obtained through Liquid Biopsy as a Possible Cancer Biomarker

In recent years PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have gained the interest of scientists, mainly because of their possible implications in cancer. Many kinds of research showed how their expression can be linked to malignant diseases. However, most of them evaluated the expression of piRNAs in tumor tissues. It was shown how these non-coding RNAs can interfere with many signaling pathways involved in the regulation of proliferation or apoptosis. A comparison of piRNA expression in tumor tissue and adjacent healthy tissues has demonstrated they can be used as biomarkers. However, this way of obtaining samples has a significant drawback, which is the invasiveness of such a procedure. Liquid biopsy is an alternative for acquiring biological material with little to no harm to a patient. Several different piRNAs in various types of cancer were shown to be expressed in bodily fluids such as blood or urine. Furthermore, their expression significantly differed between cancer patients and healthy individuals. Hence, this review aimed to assess the possible use of liquid biopsy for cancer diagnosis with piRNAs as biomarkers.

Liquid biopsy at the frontier in renal cell carcinoma: recent analysis of techniques and clinical application

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a major pathological type of kidney cancer and is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The unremarkable symptoms of early stages, proneness to postoperative metastasis or recurrence, and low sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy pose a challenge for the diagnosis and treatment of RCC. Liquid biopsy is an emerging test that measures patient biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA/cell-free tumor DNA, cell-free RNA, exosomes, and tumor-derived metabolites and proteins. Owing to its non-invasiveness, liquid biopsy enables continuous and real-time collection of patient information for diagnosis, prognostic assessment, treatment monitoring, and response evaluation. Therefore, the selection of appropriate biomarkers for liquid biopsy is crucial for identifying high-risk patients, developing personalized therapeutic plans, and practicing precision medicine. In recent years, owing to the rapid development and iteration of extraction and analysis technologies, liquid biopsy has emerged as a low cost, high efficiency, and high accuracy clinical detection method. Here, we comprehensively review liquid biopsy components and their clinical applications over the past 5 years. Additionally, we discuss its limitations and predict its future prospects.

piR-36249 and DHX36 together inhibit testicular cancer cells progression by upregulating OAS2

Background

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs originally reported in the reproductive system of mammals and later found to be aberrantly expressed in tumors. However, the function and mechanism of piRNAs in testicular cancer are not very clear.

Methods

The expression level and distribution of piR-36249 were detected by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining assay. Testicular cancer cell (NT2) progression was measured by CCK8 assay, colony formation assay and wound healing assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and western blot. RNA sequencing and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to identify the potential targets of piR-36249. The relationship between piR-36249 and OAS2 or DHX36 was confirmed using overexpression assay, knockdown assay, pull-down assay and RIP assay.

Results

piR-36249 is significantly downregulated in testicular cancer tissues compared to tumor-adjacent tissues. Functional studies demonstrate that piR-36249 inhibits testicular cancer cell proliferation, migration and activates the cell apoptosis pathway. Mechanically, we identify that piR-36249 binds to the 3'UTR of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 2 (OAS2) mRNA. OAS2 has been shown in the literature to be a tumor suppressor modulating the occurrence and development of some tumors. Here, we show that OAS2 knockdown also promotes testicular cancer cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, piR-36249 interacts with DHX36, which has been reported to promote translation. DHX36 can also bind to OAS2 mRNA, and knockdown of DHX36 increases OAS2 mRNA but downregulates its protein, indicating the enhancing effect of DHX36 on OAS2 protein expression.

Conclusion

All these data suggest that piR-36249, together with DHX36, functions in inhibiting the malignant phenotype of testicular cancer cells by upregulating OAS2 protein and that piR-36249 may be used as a suppressor factor to regulate the development of testicular cancer.

PIWI-Interacting RNA Pathway Genes: Potential Biomarkers for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies in the urinary system, yet effective diagnostic and prognostic markers are lacking. Recently, several of piRNA pathway genes have been reported to be associated with cancer diagnosis and prognosis, but their role in ccRCC is still unclear. Methods. We analysed the expression of 27 piRNA pathway genes in 539 kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and 72 nontumor tissue samples (data from TCGA), and 12 mRNAs were significantly different. The aim was to sift the piRNA pathway genes that are correlated with ccRCC patient survival and to construct a piRNA pathway gene risk prognostic model using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and ROC curve, respectively. Results. 5 piRNA pathway genes (TDRD7, GPAT2, PLD6, SUV39H1, and DOM3Z) were picked out and used to construct the piRNA pathway gene risk model. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that compared with that of the low-risk group of ccRCC patients, the OS of the high-risk group of ccRCC patients was significantly reduced. The predictive performance of the prognostic risk model was measured using a ROC curve, which individually showed AUC values for 1 year of 0.707, for 3 years of 0.713, and for 5 years of 0.701. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TDRD7 were overexpressed in the ccRCC datasets (data from our cohort, TCGA, GEO, and CPTAC) and ccRCC cell lines, and the expression levels correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics in ccRCC. The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) showed that the mRNA expression level of TDRD7 was positively related to tumor immune infiltrating cells (TICs) in ccRCC. Mechanistically, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to uncover the mechanism of TDRD7 in ccRCC. In summary, the piRNA pathway genes,especially TDRD7, may be potential cancer diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ccRCC.

piRNAs and PIWI Proteins as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Genitourinary Cancers

piRNAs (PIWI-interacting RNAs) are small non-coding RNAs capable of regulation of transposon and gene expression. piRNAs utilise multiple mechanisms to affect gene expression, which makes them potentially more powerful regulators than microRNAs. The mechanisms by which piRNAs regulate transposon and gene expression include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and mRNA degradation. Genitourinary cancers (GC) are a large group of neoplasms that differ by their incidence, clinical course, biology, and prognosis for patients. Regardless of the GC type, metastatic disease remains a key therapeutic challenge, largely affecting patients’ survival rates. Recent studies indicate that piRNAs could serve as potentially useful biomarkers allowing for early cancer detection and therapeutic interventions at the stage of non-advanced tumour, improving patient’s outcomes. Furthermore, studies in prostate cancer show that piRNAs contribute to cancer progression by affecting key oncogenic pathways such as PI3K/AKT. Here, we discuss recent findings on biogenesis, mechanisms of action and the role of piRNAs and the associated PIWI proteins in GC. We also present tools that may be useful for studies on the functioning of piRNAs in cancers.

Emerging roles and potential application of PIWI-interacting RNA in urological tumors

The piRNA (PIWI-interacting RNA) is P-Element induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNA which is a small molecule, non-coding RNA with a length of 24-32nt. It was originally found in germ cells and is considered a regulator of germ cell function. It can interact with PIWI protein, a member of the Argonaute family, and play a role in the regulation of gene transcription and epigenetic silencing of transposable factors in the nucleus. More and more studies have shown that piRNAs are abnormally expressed in a variety of cancer tissues and patient fluids, and may become diagnostic tools, therapeutic targets, staging markers, and prognostic evaluation tools for cancer. This article reviews the recent research on piRNA and summarizes the structural characteristics, production mechanism, applications, and its role in urological tumors, to provide a reference value for piRNA to regulate urological tumors.

PIWI interacting RNAs perspectives: a new avenues in future cancer investigations

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.

piRNA-31115 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Invasion via PI3K/AKT Pathway in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play important roles in germline development and carcinogenesis. In this study, we used the deep sequencing of small RNA Transcriptome to explore the piRNA expression in six clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) tissues and matched adjacent normal tissues and found that six piRNAs were upregulated and sixteen were downregulated in ccRCC tissues. Among them, piRNA-31115 (NCBI accession number: DQ571003) was the most upregulated piRNA in ccRCC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to confirm piR-31115 expression in other ccRCC tissues (n = 40) and ccRCC cell lines. Besides, function analysis demonstrated that silencing of piR-31115 inhibited ccRCC cell proliferation, motility, and invasiveness. Mechanistic investigations showed that piRNA-31115 may activate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Hence, piR-31115 may represent an oncogene in the development of ccRCC.

PIWI-interacting RNA 57125 restrains clear cell renal cell carcinoma metastasis by downregulating CCL3 expression

Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common tumors disagnosed, with nearly one third of patients diagnosed with metastatic ccRCC. Although an increasing number of studies has revealed that piwi-interacting RNAs are aberrantly expressed in diverse types of cancers, few of them explored the detailed molecular mechanism of piRNAs in carcinogenesis, particularly in ccRCC. In this study, differentially expressed piRNAs associated with ccRCC were selected by using piRNA-sequencing combined with TCGA data analysis, and piR-57125 was identified. PiR-57125 was found remarkably downregulated in ccRCC samples. Functionally, knockdown of piR-57125 promoted migration and invasion of ccRCC, while overexpression of piR-57125 suppressed ccRCC metastasis. In vivo lung metastasis model also confirmed the same results. CCL3 was identified as the direct target of piR-57125 which could potentially reverse the inhibition effect of piR-57125 in ccRCC metastasis. Further study revealed that piR-57125 modulated ccRCC metastasis through the AKT/ERK pathway. These data indicate that piR-57125 restrains ccRCC metastasis by directly targeting CCL3 and inhibiting the AKT/ERK pathway, and could be a potential therapeutic target for ccRCC.

PIWI-interacting RNAs: Mitochondria-based biogenesis and functions in cancer

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNAs), once thought to be mainly functioning in germlines, are now known to play an essential role in somatic and cancerous tissues. Ping-pong cycle initiation and mitochondria-based phased production constitute the core of the piRNA biogenesis and these two processes are well conserved in mammals, including humans. By being involved in DNA methylation, histone marker deposition, mRNA degradation, and protein modification, piRNAs also contribute to carcinogenesis partly due to oncogenic stress-induced piRNA dysregulation. Also, piRNAs play important roles in cancer stemness, drug resistance, and tumor immunology. Results from liquid biopsy analysis of piRNA can be used in both cancer diagnoses and cancer prognoses. A combination of targeting piRNA with other therapeutic strategies could be groundbreaking cancer treatment.

Epigenetic Biomarkers of Renal Cell Carcinoma for Liquid Biopsy Tests

Renal cell carcinomas (RCC) account for 2–3% of the global cancer burden and are characterized by the highest mortality rate among all genitourinary cancers. However, excluding conventional imagining approaches, there are no reliable diagnostic and prognostic tools available for clinical use at present. Liquid biopsies, such as urine, serum, and plasma, contain a significant amount of tumor-derived nucleic acids, which may serve as non-invasive biomarkers that are particularly useful for early cancer detection, follow-up, and personalization of treatment. Changes in epigenetic phenomena, such as DNA methylation level, expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), are observed early during cancer development and are easily detectable in biofluids when morphological changes are still undetermined by conventional diagnostic tools. Here, we reviewed recent advances made in the development of liquid biopsy-derived DNA methylation-, miRNAs- and lncRNAs-based biomarkers for RCC, with an emphasis on the performance characteristics. In the last two decades, a mass of circulating epigenetic biomarkers of RCC were suggested, however, most of the studies done thus far analyzed biomarkers selected from the literature, used relatively miniature, local, and heterogeneous cohorts, and suffered from a lack of sufficient validations. In summary, for improved translation into the clinical setting, there is considerable demand for the validation of the existing pool of RCC biomarkers and the discovery of novel ones with better performance and clinical utility.

PIWI‑interacting RNA in cancer: Molecular mechanisms and possible clinical implications (Review)

PIWI‑interacting RNA is a class of non‑coding small RNA that is ~30 nt long and is primarily found in mammalian germ cells from mice and humans. In cooperation with the members of PIWI protein family, this macromolecule participates in germ cell development, inhibits DNA self‑-replication and maintains genomic stability. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that PIWI‑interacting RNA (piRNAs) are abnormally expressed in various human cancers, such as liver cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, osteosarcoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, etc. piRNAs abnormal expression is also associated with the occurrence and development of human cancers, such as liver cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, etc. Despite their unclear molecular mechanisms, piRNAs may act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors by interacting with multiple cancer‑related signal pathways including STAT3/Bcl‑xl or coding genes, such as heat shock transcription factor‑1. Hence, piRNAs may be potential markers and targets and provide new opportunities for cancer diagnosis, treatment or prognosis monitoring. The current review mainly aims to highlight the latest research progress made in the biological functions and regulation of piRNAs in mammals, their involvement in various cancer forms and their potential clinical applications.

The biogenesis and biological function of PIWI-interacting RNA in cancer

Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are vital regulators of biological activities, and aberrant levels of small ncRNAs are commonly found in precancerous lesions and cancer. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel type of small ncRNA initially discovered in germ cells that have a specific length (24-31 nucleotides), bind to PIWI proteins, and show 2'-O-methyl modification at the 3'-end. Numerous studies have revealed that piRNAs can play important roles in tumorigenesis via multiple biological regulatory mechanisms, including silencing transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene processes and accelerating multiprotein interactions. piRNAs are emerging players in the malignant transformation of normal cells and participate in the regulation of cancer hallmarks. Most of the specific cancer hallmarks regulated by piRNAs are involved in sustaining proliferative signaling, resistance to cell death or apoptosis, and activation of invasion and metastasis. Additionally, piRNAs have been used as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and have great potential for clinical utility. However, research on the underlying mechanisms of piRNAs in cancer is limited. Here, we systematically reviewed recent advances in the biogenesis and biological functions of piRNAs and relevant bioinformatics databases with the aim of providing insights into cancer diagnosis and clinical applications. We also focused on some cancer hallmarks rarely reported to be related to piRNAs, which can promote in-depth research of piRNAs in molecular biology and facilitate their clinical translation into cancer treatment.

piRNAs: biogenesis and their potential roles in cancer

With the length of about 26-31 nt, PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) is a small non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that interacts with PIWI proteins to form the piRNA silencing complex (piRISC). PIWI is a subfamily of Argonaute, and piRNA must bind to PIWI to exert its regulatory role. Current studies indicated that piRNA and PIWI are significantly abnormally expressed in gastric, breast, kidney, colon, and lung cancers, and are involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancers, which may be the potential diagnostic tools, prognostic markers, and therapeutic targets for cancers. By reviewing piRNA recent studies, this research summarized the mechanism of piRNA generation and the functions of piRNA/PIWI in gastric, breast, kidney, colon, and lung cancers, providing a reference value for further piRNA research.

The emerging role of small non-coding RNA in renal cell carcinoma

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SncRNAs contribute to the progress of renal cell carcinoma.

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SncRNAs are promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma.

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Despite the potential of sncRNA-based cancer therapy, some obstacles remain, including several severe adverse effect.

Noncoding RNAs are transcribed in the most regions of the human genome, divided into small noncoding RNAs (less than 200 nt) and long noncoding RNAs (more than 200 nt) according to their size. Compelling evidences suggest that small noncoding RNAs play critical roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, especially in renal cell carcinoma. MiRNA, the most famous small noncoding RNA, has been comprehensively explored for its fundamental role in cancer. And several miRNA-based therapeutic strategies have been applied to several ongoing clinical trials. However, piRNAs and tsRNAs, have not received as much research attention, because of several technological limitations. Nevertheless, some studies have revealed the presence of aberration of piRNAs and tsRNAs in renal cell carcinoma, highlighting a potentially novel mechanism for tumor onset and progression. In this review, we provide an overview of three classes of small noncoding RNA: miRNAs, piRNAs and tsRNAs, that have been reported dysregulation in renal cell carcinoma and have the potential for advancing diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic applications of this disease.

Renal Cell Tumors: Uncovering the Biomarker Potential of ncRNAs

Renal cell tumors (RCT) remain as one of the most common and lethal urological tumors worldwide. Discrimination between (1) benign and malignant disease, (2) indolent and aggressive tumors, and (3) patient responsiveness to a specific therapy is of major clinical importance, allowing for a more efficient patient management. Nonetheless, currently available tools provide limited information and novel strategies are needed. Over the years, a putative role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as disease biomarkers has gained relevance and is now one of the most prolific fields in biological sciences. Herein, we extensively sought the most significant reports on ncRNAs as potential RCTs' diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and monitoring biomarkers. We could conclude that ncRNAs, either alone or in combination with currently used clinical and pathological parameters, might represent key elements to improve patient management, potentiating the implementation of precision medicine. Nevertheless, most ncRNA biomarkers require large-scale validation studies, prior to clinical implementation.

The Biogenesis and Functions of piRNAs in Human Diseases

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel type of small noncoding RNAs, which are 26-30 nt in length and bind to Piwi proteins. These short RNAs were originally discovered in germline cells and are considered as key regulators for germline maintenance. A growing body of evidence has now extended our views into piRNA biological significance showing that they can also regulate gene expression in somatic cells through transposon silencing, epigenetic programming, DNA rearrangements, mRNA turnover, and translational control. Mounting studies have revealed that the dysregulation of piRNAs may cause epigenetic changes and contribute to diverse diseases. This review illustrates piRNA biogenesis, mechanisms behind piRNA-mediated gene regulation, and changes of piRNAs in different diseases, especially in cancers.

mRNA and P-element-induced wimpy testis-interacting RNA profile in chemical-induced oral squamous cell carcinoma mice model

P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a novel class of noncoding RNAs, are involved in the carcinogenesis. However, the functional significance of piRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. In the present study, we used chemical carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) induced OSCC mouse model. piRNAs and mRNAs were profiled using next-generation sequencing in the tongue tumor tissues from 4NQO induction and healthy tongue tissues from control mice. Furthermore, we analyzed the differential gene expression of human OSCC in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. According to the common differentially expressed genes in the 4NQO model and human OSCC tissues, piRNAs and mRNAs network were established based on informatics method. A total of 14 known piRNAs and 435 novel predicted piRNAs were differently expressed in tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue. Among differently expressed piRNAs 260 were downregulated, and 189 were upregulated. The mRNA targets for the differentially expressed piRNAs were identified using RNAhybrid software. Primary immunodeficiency and herpes simplex infection were the most enriched pathways. A total of 22 mRNAs overlapped in human and mice OSCC. Moreover, we established the regulatory network of 11 mRNAs, including Tmc5, Galnt6, Spedf, Mybl2, Muc5b, Six31, Pigr, Lamc2, Mmp13, Mal, and Mamdc2, and 11 novel piRNAs. Our data showed the interaction between piRNAs and mRNAs in OSCC, which might provide new insights in the development of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of OSCC.