piRNAs and PIWI proteins as potential biomarkers in colorectal cancer

Abstract

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are another subgroup of small non-coding RNAs emerging as key players in different biological activities, including regulating gene and protein expression, epigenetic silencing of transposable elements, and controlling the spermatogenesis by interacting with PIWI proteins. Recently, with the help of next-generation sequencing, abnormal piRNA expression has been observed in different types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). A new investigation proposing piRNA as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in the treatment of CRC Therefore, this review focuses on the role of piRNAs in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of CRC and its molecular mechanisms to understand its function and provide a better therapeutic strategy. Keywords: PIWI-interacting RNA; piRNA; small RNA; colorectal cancer.