Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a broad group of non-coding small RNAs with important biological functions in germline cells. It is well known that piRNAs can maintain genome integrity via silencing retrotransposons. Previous studies on the animal models harboring gene deletions have shown that the genes involved in piRNA biogenesis and their defective expression can result in the spermatogenic dysfunction. In the past decade, significant progress has been achieved for piRNAs and their roles in male germ cells. This review addresses the advances on piRNAs and piRNA biogenesis-associated genes, with a particular focus on the Moloney leukemia virus 10-like 1 (MOV10L1) gene, whose role in primary piRNA processing and in the 'ping-pong' cycle during secondary piRNA processing has been illustrated. The biological characteristics of piRNA has been summarized, and emphasis was laid on the roles of MOV10L1 in the mediation of piRNA biogenesis and retrotransposons silencing by DNA methylation. Furthermore, the association between MOV10L1 gene polymorphisms and complete maturation arrest in men has been discussed. Hence, thorough literature review was conducted in order to obtain a greater understanding of the function of MOV10L1 and its mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis in mice and humans.
© 2015 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.