Transfer RNAs-derived small RNAs and their application potential in multiple diseases

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• RNA Biology

Background:

• Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) traditionally function as adapter molecules in protein translation.
• Emerging research reveals tRNAs as precursors to tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs).
• tsRNAs play regulatory roles beyond translation and are linked to various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the biogenesis and classification of tsRNAs.
• To summarize the functions and regulatory mechanisms of tsRNAs in disease.
• To highlight the clinical implications of tsRNAs in diagnosis and therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of existing literature on tsRNA biogenesis, classification, and function.
• Systematic summary of tsRNA regulatory mechanisms in disease processes.
• Analysis of tsRNA involvement in specific pathologies.

Main Results:

• tsRNAs originate from pre-tRNAs or mature tRNAs and are classified into tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA halves (tiRNAs).
• tRFs are further categorized into five types (tRF-1, tRF-2, tRF-3, tRF-5, i-tRF) based on cleavage sites.
• tsRNAs modulate complex regulatory networks and are involved in diseases like breast cancer and ischemic stroke.

Conclusions:

• tsRNAs represent a novel class of non-coding RNAs with significant biological functions.
• Understanding tsRNA mechanisms provides insights into disease pathogenesis.
• tsRNAs hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for various diseases.