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. 2022 Nov;14(6):e1572.
doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1572. Epub 2022 Jul 19.

PIWI-interacting RNAs and human testicular function

Gülizar Saritas  1   2 , Ailsa Maria Main  1   2 , Sofia Boeg Winge  1   2 , Nina Mørup  1   2 , Kristian Almstrup  1   2   3
Affiliations

PIWI-interacting RNAs and human testicular function

Gülizar Saritas et al. WIREs Mech Dis. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) are pieces of RNA with a length below 200 bp and represent a diverse group of RNAs having many different biological functions. The best described subtype is the microRNAs which primarily function in posttranscriptional gene regulation and appear essential for most physiological processes. Of particular interest for the germline is the PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) which are a class of sncRNA of 21-35 bp in length that are almost exclusively found in germ cells. Recently, it has become clear that piRNAs are essential for testicular function, and in this perspective, we outline the current knowledge of piRNAs in humans. Although piRNAs appear unique to germ cells, they have also been described in various somatic cancers and biofluids. Here, we discuss the potential function of piRNAs in somatic tissues and whether detection in biofluids may be used as a biomarker for testicular function. This article is categorized under: Reproductive System Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Reproductive System Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.

Keywords: biomarkers; piRNAs; spermatogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared no conflicts of interests for this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Schematic illustration of pachytene PIWI‐interacting RNA (piRNA) biogenesis in spermatocytes and spermatids. 1) In the nucleus, piRNA precursor transcripts are transcribed from piRNA clusters, which involves RNA pol II and the transcription factor, MYBL1. 2) After cytoplasmic translocation to the intermitochondrial cement or chromatoid body (not illustrated), these precursor transcripts undergo slicing in a process involving PIWIL1, PIWIL2, and PLD6 to produce pre‐piRNAs). 3) Further processing of pre‐piRNAs occurs by PNLDC1 in complex with multiple factors like TDRKH, PIWIL1, and PIWIL2 where PNLDC1 trims the 3′ end. Finally, the 3′ end is modified by HENM1 with a 2′‐O‐methylation (not illustrated) forming mature piRNAs associated with PIWIL1 and PIWIL2. Mature piRNAs are important for the completion of spermatogenesis due to their involvement in transcriptional and translational control (see main text). HENM1: HEN methyltransferase 1, MYBL1: MYB proto‐oncogene like 1, piRNA: PIWI‐interacting RNAs, PIWIL1 or 2: PIWI‐like 1 or 2, PLD6: Phospholipase D6, PNLDC1: 3′ exonuclease PARN‐like ribonuclease domain containing 1, RNA pol II: RNA polymerase II, TDRKH: Tudor and KH domain‐containing protein
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References

FURTHER READING

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