Author:
Garcia-Borja Elena,Siegl Frantisek,Mateu Rosana,Slaby Ondrej,Sedo Aleksi,Busek Petr,Sana Jiri
Abstract
AbstractSmall 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.
Funder
Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic
European Union
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Biochemistry (medical),Clinical Biochemistry,Molecular Medicine
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