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Updated: Jan 31, 2026
Working with Human Tissues for Translational Cancer Research
Published on: November 26, 2015
Translation regulation in skin cancer from a tRNA point of view
Katerina Grafanaki1,2, Dimitrios Anastasakis3, George Kyriakopoulos1
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Abstract:
Protein synthesis is a central and dynamic process, frequently deregulated in cancer through aberrant activation or expression of translation initiation factors and tRNAs. The discovery of tRNA-derived fragments, a new class of abundant and, in some cases stress-induced, small Noncoding RNAs has perplexed the epigenomics landscape and highlights the emerging regulatory role of tRNAs in translation and beyond. Skin is the biggest organ in human body, which maintains homeostasis of its multilayers through regulatory networks that induce translational reprogramming, and modulate tRNA transcription, modification and fragmentation, in response to various stress signals, like UV irradiation. In this review, we summarize recent knowledge on the role of translation regulation and tRNA biology in the alarming prevalence of skin cancer.
Insights
Cancer disrupts protein synthesis via translation factors and tRNAs. tRNA-derived fragments are emerging regulators, impacting skin cancer development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenomics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Protein synthesis regulation is crucial for cellular homeostasis.
- Aberrant translation initiation factors and tRNAs are implicated in cancer development.
- tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are novel small noncoding RNAs with regulatory roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of translation regulation in skin cancer.
- To explore the emerging function of tRNA biology in skin carcinogenesis.
- To connect tRNA modulation and fragmentation to UV-induced stress in skin.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on translation regulation and tRNA biology.
- Analysis of tRNA-derived fragments in the context of epigenomics.
- Examination of stress-induced translational reprogramming in skin homeostasis.
Main Results:
- Dysregulation of translation initiation factors and tRNAs is common in cancer.
- tRNA-derived fragments are increasingly recognized as key regulatory molecules.
- UV irradiation and other stress signals induce translational reprogramming in skin.
Conclusions:
- Translation regulation and tRNA biology are critical in skin cancer.
- tRNA fragmentation and epigenetic alterations are key events in skin carcinogenesis.
- Understanding these pathways offers potential therapeutic targets for skin cancer.
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Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
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