piRNAs may regulate expression of candidate genes of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Small non-coding RNAs and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Linking diagnosis, pathogenesis, drug resistance, and therapeutic potential

This review comprehensively investigates the intricate interplay between small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a devastating malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Our analysis reveals the pivotal roles of sncRNAs in various facets of PDAC biology, spanning diagnosis, pathogenesis, drug resistance, and therapeutic strategies. sncRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers for PDAC, demonstrating distinct expression profiles in diseased tissues. sncRNA differential expression patterns, often detectable in bodily fluids, hold potential for early and minimally invasive diagnostic approaches. Furthermore, sncRNAs exhibit intricate involvement in PDAC pathogenesis, regulating critical cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Additionally, mechanistic insights into sncRNA-mediated pathogenic pathways illuminate novel therapeutic targets and interventions. A significant focus of this review is dedicated to unraveling sncRNA mechanisms underlying drug resistance in PDAC. Understanding these mechanisms at the molecular level is imperative for devising strategies to overcome drug resistance. Exploring the therapeutic landscape, we discuss the potential of sncRNAs as therapeutic agents themselves as their ability to modulate gene expression with high specificity renders them attractive candidates for targeted therapy. In summary, this review integrates current knowledge on sncRNAs in PDAC, offering a holistic perspective on their diagnostic, pathogenic, and therapeutic relevance. By elucidating the roles of sncRNAs in PDAC biology, this review provides valuable insights for the development of novel diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutic approaches, crucial for improving the prognosis of PDAC patients.

Interactions of piRNAs with the mRNA of Candidate Genes in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Recently, a database of human piRNAs (piwi-interacting RNAs) was created, which allows the study of the binding of many piRNAs to the mRNAs of genes involved in many diseases, including cancer. In the present work, we identified the piRNAs that can interact with candidate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) genes. The binding of 480 thousand piRNAs with the mRNAs of 66 candidate ESCC genes was studied. Bioinformatic studies found that piRNAs bind only to the mRNAs of nine candidate genes: AURKA, BMP7, GCOM1, ERCC1, MTHFR, SASH1, SIX4, SULT1A1, and TP53. It has been shown that piRNAs can bind to mRNA by overlapping nucleotide sequences in limited 3'UTR and 5'UTR regions called clusters of binding sites (BSs). The existence of clusters of piRNA BSs significantly reduces the proportion of the nucleotide sequences of these sites in the mRNA of target genes. Competition between piRNAs occurs for binding to the mRNA of target genes. Individual piRNAs and groups of piRNAs that have separate BSs and clusters of BSs in the mRNAs of two or more candidate genes have been identified in the mRNAs of these genes. This organization of piRNAs BSs indicates the interdependence of the expression of candidate genes through piRNAs. Significant differences in the ability of genes to interact with piRNAs prevent the side effects of piRNAs on genes with a lack of the ability to bind such piRNAs. Individual piRNAs and sets of piRNAs are proposed and recommended for the diagnosis and therapy of ESCC.

Endogenous piRNAs Can Interact with the Omicron Variant of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, can still infect populations in many countries around the globe. The Omicron strain is the most mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2. The high transmissibility of the strain and its ability to evade immunity necessitate a priority study of its properties in order to quickly create effective means of preventing its spread. The current research aimed to examine the in silico interaction between PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and the SARS-CoV-2 genome (gRNA) to identify endogenous piRNAs and propose synthetic piRNAs with strong antiviral activity for drug development. This study used validated bioinformatic approaches regarding the interaction of more than eight million piRNAs with the SARS-CoV-2 genome. The piRNAs’ binding sites (BSs) in the 5′UTR were located with overlapping nucleotide sequences termed clusters of BSs. Several BSs clusters have been found in the nsp3, nsp7, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, endoRNAse, S surface glycoprotein, ORF7a, and nucleocapsid. Sixteen synthetic piRNAs that interact with gRNA have been proposed with free binding energy ranging from −170 kJ/mol to −175 kJ/mol, which can be used to create drugs that suppress the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2.