tRNA Fragments Populations Analysis in Mutants Affecting tRNAs Processing and tRNA Methylation

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• tRNA fragments (tRFs) are small non-coding RNAs derived from tRNAs, abundant in various cell types and involved in diverse biological functions.
• tRFs present analytical challenges due to heterogeneity and post-transcriptional modifications, and their biogenesis remains poorly understood.
• Understanding tRF biogenesis is crucial for elucidating their roles and implications in human diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a bioinformatic pipeline, tRFs-Galaxy, for studying tRF populations.
• To investigate the biogenesis of tRFs in *Drosophila melanogaster*.
• To explore the impact of defects in tRNA biogenesis on tRFs and other small non-coding RNAs.

Main Methods:

• Development of the tRFs-Galaxy bioinformatic pipeline.
• Analysis of small RNA Illumina sequencing datasets from wild type and mutant *Drosophila melanogaster* ovaries.
• Focus on mutations affecting 5'pre-tRNA processing (Rpp30) and tRNA 2'-O-methylation (dTrm7_34, dTrm7_32).

Main Results:

• The tRFs-Galaxy pipeline successfully analyzed tRF populations.
• Defects in tRNA biogenesis significantly altered nuclear and mitochondrial tRF populations.
• Impacts on the biogenesis of other small non-coding RNAs, like small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), were observed.

Conclusions:

• The tRFs-Galaxy workflow provides a valuable tool for tRF research.
• tRNA biogenesis is intricately linked to the production and regulation of tRFs.
• This study advances the understanding of tRF biogenesis, paving the way for future research into their functions and disease relevance.