Open Access

The meaning of PIWI proteins in cancer development (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Monika Litwin
    • Anna Szczepańska‑Buda
    • Aleksandra Piotrowska
    • Piotr Dzięgiel
    • Wojciech Witkiewicz
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 28, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5932
  • Pages: 3354-3362
  • Copyright: © Litwin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Cancer is a histologically and genetically heterogeneous population of tumor cells that exhibits distinct molecular profiles determined by epigenetic alterations. P‑element‑induced wimpy testis (PIWI) proteins in complex with PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) have been previously demonstrated to be involved in epigenetic regulation in germline cells. Recently, reactivation of PIWI expression, primarily PIWI‑like protein 1 and 2, through aberrant DNA methylation resulting in genomic silencing has been identified in various types of tumors. It has been suggested that the PIWI-piRNA complex contributes to cancer development and progression by promoting a stem‑like state of cancer cells, or cancer stem cells (CSCs). It has been identified that CSCs represent the cells that have undergone epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquired metastatic capacities. However, the molecular association between the EMT process and the stem‑cell state remains unclear. Further extensive characterization of CSCs in individual types of tumors is required to identify specific markers for the heterogeneous population of CSCs and therefore selectively target CSCs. Previous studies indicate a reciprocal regulation between PIWI proteins and a complex signaling network linking markers characterized for CSCs and transcription factors involved in EMT. In the present review, studies of PIWI function are summarized, and the potential involvement of PIWI proteins in cancer development and progression is discussed.
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May-2017
Volume 13 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Litwin M, Szczepańska‑Buda A, Piotrowska A, Dzięgiel P and Witkiewicz W: The meaning of PIWI proteins in cancer development (Review). Oncol Lett 13: 3354-3362, 2017
APA
Litwin, M., Szczepańska‑Buda, A., Piotrowska, A., Dzięgiel, P., & Witkiewicz, W. (2017). The meaning of PIWI proteins in cancer development (Review). Oncology Letters, 13, 3354-3362. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5932
MLA
Litwin, M., Szczepańska‑Buda, A., Piotrowska, A., Dzięgiel, P., Witkiewicz, W."The meaning of PIWI proteins in cancer development (Review)". Oncology Letters 13.5 (2017): 3354-3362.
Chicago
Litwin, M., Szczepańska‑Buda, A., Piotrowska, A., Dzięgiel, P., Witkiewicz, W."The meaning of PIWI proteins in cancer development (Review)". Oncology Letters 13, no. 5 (2017): 3354-3362. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5932