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tRNA modifications: insights into their role in human cancers
Ye Wang1, En-Wei Tao1, Juan Tan1
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Trends in Cell Biology
|May 13, 2023
Summary
Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications are crucial for gene expression and are involved in cancer. This review explores six key tRNA modifications, their roles in tumor development, and their potential as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Transfer RNA (tRNA) is essential for protein synthesis, linking messenger RNA (mRNA) to amino acids.
- tRNA molecules undergo extensive post-transcriptional modifications that are vital for their structure, stability, and function.
- These tRNA modifications play significant roles in regulating gene expression and are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical roles of specific tRNA modifications in tumorigenesis and tumor progression.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which these modifications influence cancer development.
- To explore the potential of tRNA modifications as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on tRNA modifications and their involvement in cancer.
- Analysis of existing research on the functions and mechanisms of six distinct tRNA modifications in cancer.
- Synthesis of information regarding the clinical relevance of tRNA modifications in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Main Results:
- tRNA modifications, particularly in the anticodon loop and body regions, significantly impact translation fidelity and tRNA stability.
- Specific tRNA modifications are dysregulated in various cancers and contribute to oncogenesis and tumor progression.
- These modifications influence key cellular pathways involved in cancer, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- tRNA modifications are critical regulators of gene expression with profound implications in cancer.
- Understanding the specific roles of tRNA modifications in cancer offers new avenues for biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention.
- Targeting tRNA modification pathways presents a promising strategy for future cancer therapies.
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