Piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 3 (PIWIL3)

Piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 3 (PIWIL3) is a protein-coding gene belonging to the PIWI subfamily of the Argonaute protein family, characterized by the presence of PAZ and Piwi domains[1][7][8]. It is primarily involved in the maintenance of germline cells, functioning through the piRNA metabolic process to repress transposable elements during meiosis, thereby preserving genomic stability[1][6][8]. PIWIL3 directly binds to piRNAs—a class of 24–30 nucleotide RNAs derived mostly from transposable elements and repeat sequences—which facilitate DNA methylation and sequence-specific silencing of transposons[1][8]. Besides transposon repression, PIWIL3 is believed to regulate translation and participate in other meiotic processes[8]. Expression of PIWIL3 has been associated with certain cancers, including lung cancer, where it may promote tumor progression[3], and defects in this gene have been linked to male infertility[1][4].

Other names

HIWI3PIWL3