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Updated: Aug 10, 2025

Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
tRNA derived fragments:A novel player in gene regulation and applications in cancer
Shuangshuang Zhang1,2, Xiuchong Yu2, Yaoyao Xie2
1Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Abstract:
The heterogeneous species of tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) with specific biological functions was recently identified. Distinct roles of tRFs in tumor development and viral infection, mediated through transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, has been demonstrated. In this review, we briefly summarize the current literatures on the classification of tRFs and the effects of tRNA modification on tRF biogenesis. Moreover, we highlight the tRF repertoire of biological roles such as gene silencing, and regulation of translation, cell apoptosis, and epigenetics. We also summarize the biological roles of various tRFs in cancer development and viral infection, their potential value as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for different types of cancers, and their potential use in cancer therapy.
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