Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
07:46
An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity
Published on: October 8, 2018
Transfer RNA Modifications in the Immune System Participate in Disease Pathogenesis
Xinke Ma1, Hejia Gu1, Yi Zhang1
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications critically impact immune system functions like defense and homeostasis. Aberrant modifications are linked to immune disorders, highlighting tRNA modification as a key area for therapeutic research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Expression
Background:
- The human immune system maintains defense, surveillance, and homeostasis.
- Transfer RNA (tRNA) is crucial for gene expression regulation.
- Altered tRNA modifications disrupt immune functions and are linked to immune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review tRNA modifications in immune functions and related diseases.
- To explore mechanisms of tRNA modifications in immune regulation.
- To identify therapeutic targets and research gaps in tRNA modification-dependent immunity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and integration of current research.
- Analysis of tRNA modification mechanisms in immune cells and tissues.
- Investigation of tRNA cleavage and tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in immune modulation.
Main Results:
- tRNA modifications influence immune recognition, signal transduction, apoptosis, and autophagy.
- Aberrant tRNA modifications are associated with infections, tumors, and autoimmune diseases.
- tRNA modifications impact immunity directly in immune cells and indirectly via other cells.
Conclusions:
- tRNA modifications play a significant role in regulating immune responses and are implicated in immune-related disorders.
- Understanding these modifications offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate tRNA modification-dependent immune regulation and develop translational therapies.
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
02:36Transfer RNA Synthesis
One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
02:23RNA Editing
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
01:23Types of RNA
Overview
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 the regulation of 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...
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 the regulation of 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...
01:20Types 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...
RNA Performs Diverse...