Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles
08:35

Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles

Published on: January 4, 2012

28.0K

tRF-Pro-CGG Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer

Jikuan Zhu1, Xudong Zhang2, Tianping Luo2

  • 1Graduate School of Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, Liaoning Province, China.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|March 8, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

tRNA-derived RNA fragment tRF-Pro-CGG acts as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer (PC). Downregulation of tRF-Pro-CGG promotes PC progression, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a significant health challenge with limited effective treatments.
  • Aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs, including tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), is implicated in cancer development.
  • The specific role of tRF-Pro-CGG in PC pathogenesis is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression profile of tRF-Pro-CGG in pancreatic cancer.
  • To elucidate the functional role of tRF-Pro-CGG in PC cell behavior, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.
  • To identify the molecular targets and signaling pathways regulated by tRF-Pro-CGG in PC.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and next-generation sequencing for expression analysis.
  • In vitro functional assays (cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, apoptosis) in PC cell lines.
  • Dual luciferase reporter assays and Western blotting to identify and validate molecular targets and signaling pathways (CSF1, PI3K-AKT).

Main Results:

  • tRF-Pro-CGG expression was significantly downregulated in PC tissues and cell lines.
  • Overexpression of tRF-Pro-CGG suppressed PC cell proliferation, clonality, migration, and invasion, while inducing apoptosis.
  • tRF-Pro-CGG directly targets CSF1 and modulates the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, impacting key molecules like AKT, P-AKT, and PTEN.

Conclusions:

  • tRF-Pro-CGG functions as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer.
  • The tumor-suppressive activity is mediated by targeting CSF1 and regulating the PI3K-AKT pathway.
  • tRF-Pro-CGG holds promise as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Keywords:
ApoptosisCSF1ClonalityDiagnostic biomarkerInvasionMigrationPancreatic cancerProliferationTRF-pro-CGG

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells09:45

An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells

Published on: May 21, 2019

8.2K
Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer07:55

Flow Cytometry-Based Isolation and Therapeutic Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in a Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Published on: January 17, 2025

555

Related Concept Videos

Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.8K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
3.5K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.0K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.3K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
3.7K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
7.2K