Maternal Partial-knockout experiment on piRNA in mice

The role of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in maintaining genomic integrity and facilitating neurogenesis has been well documented, especially when it comes to the germline. The study explores the impact of piRNA knockout, specifically the PIWIL2 gene on cognitive abilities, neurogenesis, and postnatal hippocampal development in mice. We will selectively remove PIWIL2 RNA at the embryonic stage through the use of CRISPR technology to assess its effects on short-term memory and neural function across multiple generations. Behavioral assessments will be conducted using two Y-mazes: one with an electric shock to test for neurogenesis and the other one without to evaluate the retention of memory. Additionally, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and RNA sequencing were employed to observe structural changes in the hippocampus and gene expression alterations. Preliminary results suggest that the absence of PIWIL2 correlates with cognitive decline, affecting neurogenesis and causing significant development changes in the hippocampus, thereby highlighting the critical role of piRNAs in neural health and its potential risks related to their dysregulation.