Role of piwi‑interacting RNA‑651 in the carcinogenesis of non‑small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs/piRs) are small non-coding RNAs that can serve important roles in genome stability by silencing transposable genetic elements. piR651, one of these novel piRNAs, regulates a number of biological functions, as well as carcinogenesis. Previous studies have reported that piR651 is overexpressed in human gastric cancer tissues and in several cancer cell lines, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. However, the role of piRNAs in carcinogenesis has not been clearly defined. In the present study, a small interfering RNA inhibitor of piR651 was transfected into the NSCLC A549 and HCC827 cell lines to evaluate the effect of piR651 on cell growth. The association between piR651 expression and apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and western blot analysis. Wound-healing and Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to determine the effect of piR651 on the migration and invasion of NSCLC cell lines. The results revealed that inhibition of piR651 inhibited cell proliferation and significantly increased the apoptotic rate compared with the negative control (NC), as well as altering the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins. There were fewer migrating and invading cells in the piR651-inhibited group than in the NC group in the Transwell assays. Furthermore, in the wound-healing assay, the wound remained wider in the piR651 inhibitor group, suggesting decreased cell migration compared with that in the NC group. The results of the present study demonstrate that piR651 potentially regulates NSCLC tumorigenic behavior by inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion and by inducing apoptosis. Therefore, piR651 is a potential cancer diagnosis marker.

Tumor suppressive activity of PIWI‐interacting RNA in human fibrosarcoma mediated through repression of RRM2

“…In recent years, small non‐coding RNAs, including miRNAs, siRNAs, and piRNAs has garnered the attention of the researchers in the field of gene regulation and epigenetics . Recent studies have shown that piRNAs, a newly discovered class of ncRNAs are differentially expressed in cancers and regulate several key biological processes revealing their tumorigenic potential (tumor suppressors or oncogenes) . Hence, this class of ncRNAs has the potential to be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic interventions for different types of human cancers.…”

“…51,52 Recent studies have shown that piRNAs, a newly discovered class of ncRNAs are differentially expressed in cancers and regulate several key biological processes revealing their tumorigenic potential (tumor suppressors or oncogenes). 12,24,[27][28][29][30] Hence, this class of ncRNAs has the potential to be used as diagnostic to occur at a slightly younger age than other sarcomas (Sarcoma Foundation of America). 53 These cancers are of major concern due to their rapid growth, early metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.…”

“…Recently, our lab has also reported the expression of piRNAs in human brain, and Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐affected brain, epithelial ovarian cancer sub‐types and neuroblastoma . Further, aberrant expression of piRNAs has been documented in cancers such as breast, pancreas, lung, kidney, colorectal, cervical, head, neck, and gastric cancer . However, only a few piRNAs such as piR‐651, piR‐20365, piR‐021285, piR‐932, and piR‐823 have been intensively explored and validated in different cancers to decipher their role in oncogenesis .…”

“…11 Further, aberrant expression of piRNAs has been documented in cancers such as breast, pancreas, lung, kidney, colorectal, cervical, head, neck, and gastric cancer. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] However, only a few piRNAs such as piR-651, piR-20365, piR-021285, piR-932, and piR-823 have been intensively explored and validated in different cancers to decipher their role in oncogenesis. 8,[31][32][33][34] Cheng et al reported that the expression of piR-823 in gastric cancer tissues was significantly lower compared to non-cancerous tissues and its increased expression inhibited growth of gastric cancer cells.…”

Gastric juice piR‐1245: A promising prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer

“…31 Fu et al demonstrated that piRNA-021285 played a crucial role in regulating methylome of breast cancer. 32 Weng reported that piR-1245 acted as an oncogene and promoted CRC progression. 21 All of these are consistent with our observation.…”