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tRNA-derived small RNAs in human cancers: roles, mechanisms, and clinical application
Manli Zhou1,2, Xiaoyun He3, Jing Zhang1
1Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
Abstract:
Transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a new type of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) produced by the specific cleavage of precursor or mature tRNAs. tsRNAs are involved in various basic biological processes such as epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translation regulation, thereby affecting the occurrence and development of various human diseases, including cancers. Recent studies have shown that tsRNAs play an important role in tumorigenesis by regulating biological behaviors such as malignant proliferation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, immune response, tumor resistance, and tumor metabolism reprogramming. These may be new potential targets for tumor treatment. Furthermore, tsRNAs can exist abundantly and stably in various bodily fluids (e.g., blood, serum, and urine) in the form of free or encapsulated extracellular vesicles, thereby affecting intercellular communication in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Meanwhile, their abnormal expression is closely related to the clinicopathological features of tumor patients, such as tumor staging, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis of tumor patients; thus, tsRNAs can be served as a novel type of liquid biopsy biomarker. This review summarizes the discovery, production, and expression of tsRNAs and analyzes their molecular mechanisms in tumor development and potential applications in tumor therapy, which may provide new strategies for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of tumors.
Insights
Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are key regulators in cancer development, influencing tumor growth and spread. These molecules show promise as biomarkers for early cancer detection and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are emerging non-coding RNAs with critical roles in cellular regulation.
- tsRNAs are implicated in fundamental biological processes including epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational control.
- Dysregulation of tsRNAs is associated with the pathogenesis of various human diseases, particularly cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery, production, and expression of tsRNAs.
- To analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying tsRNA involvement in tumor development.
- To explore the potential applications of tsRNAs in cancer therapy and diagnostics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on tsRNAs in cancer.
- Analysis of tsRNA regulatory roles in tumorigenesis.
- Evaluation of tsRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- tsRNAs regulate key cancer hallmarks: proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune response, drug resistance, and metabolic reprogramming.
- tsRNAs are stable in bodily fluids and involved in intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment.
- Abnormal tsRNA expression correlates with tumor stage, metastasis, and poor prognosis, positioning them as liquid biopsy candidates.
Conclusions:
- tsRNAs are crucial players in cancer biology, impacting multiple facets of tumor progression.
- tsRNAs hold significant potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents for various cancers.
- Further research into tsRNAs may pave the way for novel strategies in early cancer diagnosis and targeted treatment.
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