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Related Concept Videos

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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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...
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RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
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Experimental RNAi

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RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
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Non-LTR Retrotransposons03:18

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

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As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
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siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

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Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
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Enhanced Crosslinking Immunoprecipitation eCLIP Method for Efficient Identification of Protein-bound RNA in Mouse Testis
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PIWI-interacting RNAs and human testicular function.

Gülizar Saritas1,2, Ailsa Maria Main1,2, Sofia Boeg Winge1,2

  • 1The Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Wires Mechanisms of Disease
|July 19, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are crucial for testicular function in humans. Their presence in biofluids may also serve as a biomarker for assessing male reproductive health.

Keywords:
biomarkerspiRNAsspermatogenesis

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics and Genomics
  • Reproductive Physiology

Background:

  • Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) encompass diverse RNA molecules with critical biological roles.
  • MicroRNAs are well-characterized sncRNAs involved in posttranscriptional gene regulation.
  • PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a distinct class of sncRNAs, predominantly found in germ cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of piRNAs in human testicular function.
  • To explore the potential roles of piRNAs in somatic tissues and cancers.
  • To evaluate the utility of piRNAs in biofluids as potential biomarkers for testicular health.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on piRNAs.
  • Analysis of piRNA expression patterns in germ cells and somatic tissues.
  • Discussion of piRNA detection methods in biofluids.

Main Results:

  • piRNAs are essential for maintaining testicular function in humans.
  • piRNAs have been identified in various somatic cancers and extracellular biofluids.
  • The presence of piRNAs in biofluids warrants further investigation as potential diagnostic markers.

Conclusions:

  • piRNAs play a vital role in male germ cell development and function.
  • The discovery of piRNAs in non-germline cells suggests broader biological implications.
  • piRNA detection in biofluids presents a promising avenue for non-invasive assessment of testicular status.