[The Research Advance of the piRNA Function]

Area of Science:

• * Molecular Biology
• * Genetics
• * Epigenetics

Background:

• * Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) represent the largest class of small non-coding RNAs, primarily expressed in germline cells.
• * piRNAs are crucial for transposon silencing, thereby maintaining genome integrity.
• * piRNAs in *C. elegans* exhibit a unique role in remembering previous gene expression patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the multifaceted roles of piRNAs.
• * To discuss piRNA involvement in regulating transposons, mRNA, lncRNA, DNA methylation, and epigenetic processes.
• * To explore the functional diversity and implications of piRNAs in cancer biology.

Main Methods:

• * Literature review and synthesis of existing research on piRNA biology.
• * Analysis of piRNA interactions with various nucleic acid molecules (mRNA, lncRNA).
• * Examination of piRNA's influence on epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation.

Main Results:

• * piRNAs are integral to silencing transposable elements and safeguarding the genome.
• * Evidence suggests piRNAs contribute to epigenetic regulation and gene expression memory.
• * Emerging roles of piRNAs in somatic cells and cancer highlight their functional plasticity.

Conclusions:

• * piRNAs play fundamental roles in genome defense and epigenetic regulation.
• * The discovery of piRNAs in somatic cells and cancers broadens their known functional spectrum.
• * Further research into piRNA functions, particularly in oncology, is warranted.