Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 150-155.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20220479

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Relationship between PIWI-Interacting RNA and Reproductive Function

TIAN Hui, ZHANG Yu, ZHAO Xiao-xi()   

  • Received:2022-10-11 Published:2023-03-15 Online:2023-03-21
  • Contact: ZHAO Xiao-xi E-mail:zhaoxx.3675@163.com

Abstract:

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA), a kind of non-coding RNAs with a length of about 24-31 nucleotides, is specifically expressed in animal germ cells. The production process of piRNA can be divided into two parts: transcription in the nucleus and post-processing in the cytoplasm. piRNA can silence transcriptional genes, and regulates mRNA with the help of PIWI family proteins, and further regulates reproductive function. In male reproductive function, piRNA can control spermatogenesis by RNF8, glutathione peroxidase 5 and other proteins with the help of PIWI family proteins, resulting in azoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenospermia and other diseases affecting male reproductive function. In the initial study of piRNA, researcher generally believed that piRNA had little effect on female reproduction. However, recent studies on golden hamsters found that piRNA/PIWI also played an important role in the regulation of female reproductive function. The production of piRNA and its correlation with reproductive function were reviewed.

Key words: RNA, untranslated, RNA, small interfering, Reproduction, Oocytes, Infertility, male