Recombinant Human Piwi-like protein 2 (PIWIL2), Truncated

Uniprot Id

Q8TC59

Target Species

Human

Target Name

PIWIL2

Target Full Name

Piwi-like protein 2

Target Function

Endoribonuclease that plays a central role during spermatogenesis by repressing transposable elements and preventing their mobilization, which is essential for the germline integrity. Plays an essential role in meiotic differentiation of spermatocytes, germ cell differentiation and in self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells. Acts via the piRNA metabolic process, which mediates the repression of transposable elements during meiosis by forming complexes composed of piRNAs and Piwi proteins and govern the methylation and subsequent repression of transposons. During piRNA biosynthesis, plays a key role in the piRNA amplification loop, also named ping-pong amplification cycle, by acting as a 'slicer-competent' piRNA endoribonuclease that cleaves primary piRNAs, which are then loaded onto 'slicer-incompetent' PIWIL4. PIWIL2 slicing produces a pre-miRNA intermediate, which is then processed in mature piRNAs, and as well as a 16 nucleotide by-product that is degraded. Required for PIWIL4/MIWI2 nuclear localization and association with secondary piRNAs antisense. Besides their function in transposable elements repression, piRNAs are probably involved in other processes during meiosis such as translation regulation. Indirectly modulates expression of genes such as PDGFRB, SLC2A1, ITGA6, GJA7, THY1, CD9 and STRA8. When overexpressed, acts as an oncogene by inhibition of apoptosis and promotion of proliferation in tumors. Represses circadian rhythms by promoting the stability and activity of core clock components ARNTL/BMAL1 and CLOCK by inhibiting GSK3B-mediated phosphorylation and ubiquitination-dependent degradation of these proteins.

Target Subcellular Location

Cytoplasm.

Target Protein Families

Argonaute family, Piwi subfamily

Target Tissue Specificity

Expressed in adult testis and in most tumors.

Target Synonyms

Cancer/testis antigen 80; CT80; Hiwi like; MILI; Miwi like; Piwi like 2; Piwi-like protein 2; Piwil2; PIWL2_HUMAN

Target Background

PIWIL2 belongs to the Argonaute family of proteins, which function in development and maintenance of germline stem cells (Sasaki et al., 2003 [PubMed 12906857]).