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Related Concept Videos

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

PIWI Expression and Function in Cancer.

Ryusuke Suzuki1, Shozo Honda, Yohei Kirino

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Frontiers in Genetics
|October 23, 2012
PubMed
Summary

PIWI proteins, crucial for germline genome integrity via PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), are increasingly found in cancers. This review explores their aberrant expression and potential roles in tumor development.

Keywords:
AGOArgonaute family proteinsPIWIcancermiRNAnon-coding RNAspiRNAsmall regulatory RNAs

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
11:44

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis

Published on: March 30, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • PIWI proteins, part of the Argonaute family, bind PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and are vital for germline genome stability.
  • The PIWI/piRNA pathway regulates transposons and other targets, ensuring germline integrity.
  • While primarily studied in the germline, human PIWI proteins (HIWI, HILI) show aberrant expression in various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the expression patterns of PIWI proteins in different types of cancer.
  • To discuss the potential involvement of PIWI proteins in the mechanisms of tumorigenesis.
  • To consolidate current knowledge on the non-canonical roles of PIWI proteins in cancer biology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating PIWI protein expression in cancer tissues.
  • Analysis of existing research on the functional roles of PIWI proteins in tumorigenesis.
  • Synthesis of data linking PIWI/piRNA pathway dysregulation to cancer development.

Main Results:

  • Evidence indicates aberrant expression of human PIWI proteins (HIWI, HILI) across a spectrum of cancers.
  • PIWI proteins may contribute to cancer progression through mechanisms like epigenetic regulation and stemness maintenance.
  • Dysregulation of the PIWI/piRNA pathway is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Aberrant PIWI protein expression in cancer suggests a role beyond their canonical germline functions.
  • Further research into PIWI proteins in oncology is warranted to explore their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
  • Understanding PIWI's role in tumorigenesis could open new avenues for cancer treatment strategies.