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Transfer RNA-derived small RNA: A rising star in oncology
Jiao Li1, Lei Zhu1, Jian Cheng1
1Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
Seminars in Cancer Biology
|May 24, 2021
Summary
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) can be cleaved into tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), which regulate biological processes. Dysregulated tsRNAs are linked to cancer, offering potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are essential for protein synthesis.
- Recent research identifies tRNA cleavage products, known as tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs).
- tsRNAs are implicated in various biological functions and disease progression, notably cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the classification, biogenesis, and biological functions of tsRNAs.
- To highlight the dysregulation of tsRNAs in cancer.
- To discuss the potential of tsRNAs as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on tsRNAs.
- Analysis of studies on tsRNA biogenesis and function.
- Examination of evidence linking tsRNA dysregulation to cancer.
Main Results:
- tsRNAs are generated from tRNA cleavage by endoribonucleases.
- Abnormal tsRNA expression is associated with tumor initiation and development.
- Mechanisms include transcriptional regulation and RNA interference.
Conclusions:
- tsRNAs play critical roles in biological processes and cancer.
- Dysregulated tsRNAs are significant in cancer progression.
- tsRNAs show promise as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic agents in oncology.
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