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The Role of tRNA Derived Small RNAs in Gene Regulation in Normal Tissues and Cancer
Author(s) -
Kay Mark
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.00031
Subject(s) - transfer rna , ribosome biogenesis , ribosome , biogenesis , biology , rna , translation (biology) , function (biology) , gene , oligonucleotide , protein biosynthesis , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoplasm , messenger rna , biochemistry
The function of tRNAs is not merely to provide the specific amino acids for a growing peptide chain during protein synthesis. Precursor and mature tRNAs can be enzymatically cleaved into various tRNA derived small RNAs. While there are thousands of different RNA species that can be generated, the function of most are not known. I will provide a brief introduction into this field and describe the mechanism of how at least one specific tsRNA derived from the 3′end of a mature tRNA is involved in regulating ribosome biogenesis (Kim et al. Nature 2017). This 3′tsRNA is upregulated in many tumors. Reducing the tsRNA in patient derived hepatocellular carcinomas using antisense oligonucleotides induced apoptosis and tumor shrinkage in mice. More recently, we have discovered the 3′tsRNAs are aminoacylated suggesting they are generated in the cytoplasm and perhaps on the ribosome. I will provide an update on current approaches we are developing to help us identify, quantify, and define the targets of the myriad of various tsRNAs present in various cell types. This will further allow investigation as to their role in maintaining health and disease states.