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The Emerging Function and Promise of tRNA-Derived Small RNAs in Cancer

Na Yang1,2, Ruijun Li3, Ruai Liu2

  • 1College of Resources, Environment and Chemistry, Chuxiong Normal University, Chuxiong 675000, China.

Journal of Cancer
|February 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are fragments of tRNA with crucial roles in cancer. These molecules, including tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA-derived stress-inducing RNAs (tiRNAs), are implicated in tumor progression and metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are emerging as significant regulators in biological processes.
  • tsRNAs encompass tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and tRNA-derived stress-inducing RNAs (tiRNAs), originating from precursor or mature tRNAs.
  • Specific subtypes of tRFs (tRF-1, tRF-2, tRF-3, tRF-5, i-tRF) and tiRNAs (5'-tiRNA, 3'-tiRNA) are classified based on cleavage sites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biological origins and functions of various tsRNAs.
  • To explore novel mechanisms and concepts related to tsRNA function.
  • To focus on the molecular mechanisms of tsRNAs in diverse human cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of tsRNA origins, functions, and mechanisms.
  • Analysis of studies investigating tsRNA expression in various cancers.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on tsRNA involvement in oncogenesis and tumor progression.

Main Results:

  • tsRNAs are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcriptomes.
  • Abnormal tsRNA expression is observed in multiple human malignancies.
  • tsRNAs can influence cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and overall tumor progression by modulating oncogene expression.

Conclusions:

  • tsRNAs play a critical role in the development and progression of various cancers.
  • Understanding tsRNA mechanisms offers potential for novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
  • Further research is needed to address unresolved questions and explore future prospects in tsRNA biology and cancer research.
Keywords:
cancermolecular mechanismstRFtiRNAtsRNAs

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