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Updated: Nov 4, 2025

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as A Novel Detection and Quantification Method
Published on: October 7, 2025
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.
Abstract:
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) participate in protein synthesis through delivering amino acids to the ribosome. Nevertheless, recent studies revealed that tRNAs can undergo cleavage by endoribonucleases to generate a heterogeneous class of small RNAs, designated as tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). Accumulating evidence demonstrates that tsRNAs play an important role in many biological processes, and their dysregulation is associated with the progression of diseases including cancer. Abnormally expressed tsRNAs contribute to tumor initiation and development through distinct mechanisms, such as transcriptional regulation and RNA interference. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge regarding classification, biogenesis and biological function of tsRNAs. Moreover, we highlight the dysregulation and critical roles of tsRNAs in cancer and discuss their potentials as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
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