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Updated: Aug 2, 2025

An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity
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Published on: October 8, 2018

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Emerging roles of tRNA in cancer

Daixi Ren1, Yongzhen Mo1, Mei Yang1

  • 1NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Cancer Letters
|April 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are crucial for genetic information. Abnormalities and modifications in tRNAs and their fragments (tRFs) are linked to cancer development and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are essential molecules for protein synthesis and genetic information transfer.
  • Aberrant tRNA modifications disrupt translation and are implicated in various diseases, including cancer.
  • tRNA instability can lead to the formation of small tRNA fragments (tRFs), which have regulatory roles in tumorigenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of tRNA modifications and tRF formation in cancer.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying abnormal tRNA metabolism in pathological conditions.
  • To explore the potential of targeting tRNA pathways for cancer prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of tRNA modifications and their impact on tRNA stability.
  • Investigation of RNase activity involved in tRNA cleavage into tRFs.
  • Study of the regulatory functions of tRFs in cancer cell models.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulation of tRNA modifications is a significant factor in carcinogenesis.
  • Impaired tRNA stability leads to the generation of tRFs.
  • The precise mechanisms of tRF formation in cancer require further elucidation.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding aberrant tRNA modifications and tRF formation is crucial for comprehending tRNA metabolism in cancer.
  • These insights may pave the way for novel cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
Non-coding RNATumortRFtRNA modification

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