Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2025

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
10:40

CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

2.3K

The functions and modifications of tRNA-derived small RNAs in cancer biology

Abdulaziz Ahmed A Saad1, Kun Zhang2, Qianqian Deng1

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, The State Key Laboratory of Anti-Infective Drug Discovery and Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.

Cancer Metastasis Reviews
|March 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) regulate gene expression and cellular functions. Aberrant tsRNA expression and modifications are linked to cancer, offering potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Noncoding RNA research has identified transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) as crucial gene expression regulators.
  • tsRNAs are generated from transfer RNAs (tRNAs) by specific ribonucleases and exhibit diverse regulatory roles.
  • tRNA modifications significantly impact tsRNA biogenesis, stability, and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biogenetic pathways and gene regulatory roles of tsRNAs.
  • To explore the impact of RNA modifications on tsRNA biogenesis and function.
  • To summarize the role of tsRNAs in cancer biology and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advancements in tsRNA research.
  • Analysis of tsRNA biogenesis pathways and regulatory mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of the influence of RNA modifications on tsRNA function.
  • Synthesis of data on tsRNA expression in various cancer types.

Main Results:

  • tsRNAs regulate gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels.
  • RNA modifications critically influence tsRNA properties and biological activities.
  • tsRNAs display aberrant expression patterns in cancer, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors.
  • tsRNAs show varied expression profiles across different cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • tsRNAs are key players in gene regulation with significant implications in cellular functions.
  • RNA modifications are integral to tsRNA biology, affecting their biogenesis and function.
  • tsRNAs represent promising novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer treatment and management.
Keywords:
BiomarkerCancerRNA modificationsTherapy targettRNA-derived fragments

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
Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster09:39

Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: August 21, 2014

24.0K

Related Concept Videos

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
8.4K
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
16.4K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
21.1K
Nucleic Acids02:43

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes,...
43.2K
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...
5.5K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.0K