Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:14
Optogenetic Phase Transition of TDP-43 in Spinal Motor Neurons of Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: February 25, 2022
Transfer RNA Fragments in Diseases of Sensory Organs
Nikita Gulati1, Zhongyu Yang2, Yan X Lin2
1Department of Biology, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ 08102, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) regulate gene expression in sensory organs. This review highlights their roles in sensory organ health and disease, suggesting potential as biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are emerging regulators of gene expression.
- Sensory organs face environmental stressors, making RNA-mediated processes crucial.
- tRFs influence translation, mRNA stability, and signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of tRFs in sensory organ physiology and pathology.
- To focus on tRF involvement in angiogenesis, inflammation, immune regulation, and fibrosis.
- To identify knowledge gaps and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review.
- Analysis of studies on tRFs in sensory organ diseases.
- Evaluation of computational predictions and experimental validation.
Main Results:
- tRFs impact signaling pathways in diseases like retinal neovascularization and inflammatory skin conditions.
- tRFs are implicated in wound healing and tissue remodeling.
- Current data largely relies on computational predictions, lacking experimental validation.
Conclusions:
- tRFs play significant roles in sensory organ function and disease.
- Further validation of tRF-target interactions is essential.
- tRFs in biofluids show promise as minimally invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Translation
Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
01:31Translation
Lesson: Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
02:18Alternative RNA Splicing
Alternative RNA splicing is the regulated splicing of exons and introns to produce different mature mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA. Unlike in constitutive splicing where a single gene produces a single type of mRNA, alternative splicing allows an organism to produce multiple proteins from a single gene and plays an important role in protein diversity.
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
01:32RNA Splicing
Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
01:32RNA Splicing
Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
01:27Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER
A sizable fraction of proteins destined for ER are first synthesized in the cell cytosol and then transported across the ER membrane–a process called post-translational translocation. Similar to cotranslationally translocated proteins, these proteins also use the Sec translocon complex to enter the ER lumen.
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...