[PIWI/piRNA complex-mediated regulation of spermatogenesis]

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) were identified as a novel class of small non-coding RNAs in animal germlines, which are mainly expressed in germ cells, interact with PIWI, and regulate germ cell development and spermatogenesis. The PIWI/piRNA complex can silence the transposon to maintain the stability of the genome, mediate the translational activation of mRNA in the round spermatid phase, participate in the degradation of mRNA in the elongating spermatid phase, and regulate the ubiquitination degradation of MIWI in the late stage of spermatogenesis. The mutation of HENMT1 involved in the primary processing of piRNA leads to the arrest of sperm differentiation, and the mutation or deletion of the related proteins in the PIWI/piRNA pathway may affect spermatogenesis. This review briefly summarizes the biological functions of the PIWI/piRNA complex in spermatogenesis.