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Updated: Jun 18, 2025
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An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity
Published on: October 8, 2018
6.9K
Decoding the role of tRNA modifications in cancer progression
Riley O Hughes1, Hannah J Davis2, Leona A Nease2
1Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|August 1, 2024
Summary
Epitranscriptomic modifications on transfer RNA (tRNA) regulate cancer progression. Targeting tRNA writers like Methyltransferase Like 1 protein (METTL1) offers potential for novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Epitranscriptomic modifications of transfer RNA (tRNA) are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer.
- These modifications influence translational control, impacting cancer cell progression and malignant transformation.
- Proteins like Methyltransferase Like 1 (METTL1) are key 'writers' of these tRNA modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of tRNA modifications in tumorigenesis.
- To explore the role of tRNA modifications in cancer drug resistance and metastasis.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the tRNA epitranscriptome.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating tRNA modifications in various cancer types.
- Analysis of the role of specific tRNA writers, including METTL1.
- Synthesis of findings on tRNA modification impact on cancer progression and drug resistance.
Main Results:
- tRNA modifications are implicated in fundamental processes driving cancer.
- METTL1 and other tRNA writers are frequently studied in multiple cancer types.
- Modulation of the tRNA epitranscriptome influences cancer drug resistance and metastasis.
Conclusions:
- The tRNA epitranscriptome is a critical regulator of cancer cell biology.
- Targeting tRNA modifications presents a promising strategy for developing novel cancer therapies.
- Modulating tRNA epitranscriptomic processes could lead to first-in-class therapeutics for cancer treatment.
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