01 May 2026 : Editorial
Editorial: The Quest for Biomarkers of Biological Age and Longevity Identifies Roles for Small Noncoding RNAs, Including PIWI-Interacting RNAs
Dinah V. Parums A 1*DOI: 10.12659/MSM.953865
Med Sci Monit 2026; 32:e953865
Table 1 Functions of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) [10].
| Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) | Functions |
|---|---|
| Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs)18–200 nucleotides long | . Transcribed from DNA but not translated into proteins (unlike mRNA), are critical regulators of gene expression, and act by post-transcriptional silencing, RNA modification, and mRNA degradationSncRNAs maintain cellular homeostasis, regulate gene networks, protect against viral infections via RNA interference, and modify other RNA molecules, and are increasingly identified as diagnostic biomarkers |
| Micro-RNAs (miRNAs)20–28 nucleotides long | Regulate gene expression by partially pairing with mRNAs to suppress translation. miRNAs are involved in development, progression of malignancy, and are used as diagnostic biomarkers |
| Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)20–25 nucleotides long | Induce RNA interference, leading to the degradation of specific mRNA targets for gene silencing |
| Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs)60–300 nucleotides long | Guide chemical modifications of other RNA molecules, essential for RNA maturation |
| Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs)90–200 nucleotides long | Crucial components for splicing RNA to form mature mRNA |
| Transfer RNAs (tRNAs)76–90 nucleotides long | Act as adapters in the translation of genetic sequences into proteins |
| PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs)20–35 nucleotides long | Short RNAs involved in silencing genomic parasites (transposons) and protecting germline cells |