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Wu Z, Zhou R, Li B, Cao M, Wang W, Li X. Methylation modifications in tRNA and associated disorders: Current research and potential therapeutic targets. Cell Prolif 2024:e13692. [PMID: 38943267 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing has sparked increased research interest in RNA modifications, particularly tRNA methylation, and its connection to various diseases. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning the development of these diseases remain largely elusive. This review sheds light on the roles of several tRNA methylations (m1A, m3C, m5C, m1G, m2G, m7G, m5U, and Nm) in diverse biological functions, including metabolic processing, stability, protein interactions, and mitochondrial activities. It further outlines diseases linked to aberrant tRNA modifications, related enzymes, and potential underlying mechanisms. Moreover, disruptions in tRNA regulation and abnormalities in tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) contribute to disease pathogenesis, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for disease diagnosis. The review also delves into the exploration of drugs development targeting tRNA methylation enzymes, emphasizing the therapeutic prospects of modulating these processes. Continued research is imperative for a comprehensive comprehension and integration of these molecular mechanisms in disease diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijing Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ruixin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Baizao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mingyu Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenlong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinying Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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2
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Ward C, Beharry A, Tennakoon R, Rozik P, Wilhelm SDP, Heinemann IU, O’Donoghue P. Mechanisms and Delivery of tRNA Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7976-8008. [PMID: 38801719 PMCID: PMC11212642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) therapeutics will provide personalized and mutation specific medicines to treat human genetic diseases for which no cures currently exist. The tRNAs are a family of adaptor molecules that interpret the nucleic acid sequences in our genes into the amino acid sequences of proteins that dictate cell function. Humans encode more than 600 tRNA genes. Interestingly, even healthy individuals contain some mutant tRNAs that make mistakes. Missense suppressor tRNAs insert the wrong amino acid in proteins, and nonsense suppressor tRNAs read through premature stop signals to generate full length proteins. Mutations that underlie many human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and diverse rare genetic disorders, result from missense or nonsense mutations. Thus, specific tRNA variants can be strategically deployed as therapeutic agents to correct genetic defects. We review the mechanisms of tRNA therapeutic activity, the nature of the therapeutic window for nonsense and missense suppression as well as wild-type tRNA supplementation. We discuss the challenges and promises of delivering tRNAs as synthetic RNAs or as gene therapies. Together, tRNA medicines will provide novel treatments for common and rare genetic diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cian Ward
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Aruun Beharry
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Rasangi Tennakoon
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Peter Rozik
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Sarah D. P. Wilhelm
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U. Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O’Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
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Añazco-Guenkova AM, Miguel-López B, Monteagudo-García Ó, García-Vílchez R, Blanco S. The impact of tRNA modifications on translation in cancer: identifying novel therapeutic avenues. NAR Cancer 2024; 6:zcae012. [PMID: 38476632 PMCID: PMC10928989 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements have illuminated the critical role of RNA modifications in post-transcriptional regulation, shaping the landscape of gene expression. This review explores how tRNA modifications emerge as critical players, fine-tuning functionalities that not only maintain the fidelity of protein synthesis but also dictate gene expression and translation profiles. Highlighting their dysregulation as a common denominator in various cancers, we systematically investigate the intersection of both cytosolic and mitochondrial tRNA modifications with cancer biology. These modifications impact key processes such as cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, migration, metastasis, bioenergetics and the modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. The recurrence of altered tRNA modification patterns across different cancer types underscores their significance in cancer development, proposing them as potential biomarkers and as actionable targets to disrupt tumorigenic processes, offering new avenues for precision medicine in the battle against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Añazco-Guenkova
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Borja Miguel-López
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Óscar Monteagudo-García
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raquel García-Vílchez
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sandra Blanco
- Centro de Investigación del Cáncer and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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4
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Leone S, Srivastava A, Herrero-Ruiz A, Hummel B, Tittel L, Campalastri R, Aprile-Garcia F, Tan JH, Rawat P, Andersson P, Willis AE, Sawarkar R. HSP70 binds to specific non-coding RNA and regulates human RNA polymerase III. Mol Cell 2024; 84:687-701.e7. [PMID: 38266641 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Molecular chaperones are critical for protein homeostasis and are implicated in several human pathologies such as neurodegeneration and cancer. While the binding of chaperones to nascent and misfolded proteins has been studied in great detail, the direct interaction between chaperones and RNA has not been systematically investigated. Here, we provide the evidence for widespread interaction between chaperones and RNA in human cells. We show that the major chaperone heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) binds to non-coding RNA transcribed by RNA polymerase III (RNA Pol III) such as tRNA and 5S rRNA. Global chromatin profiling revealed that HSP70 binds genomic sites of transcription by RNA Pol III. Detailed biochemical analyses showed that HSP70 alleviates the inhibitory effect of cognate tRNA transcript on tRNA gene transcription. Thus, our study uncovers an unexpected role of HSP70-RNA interaction in the biogenesis of a specific class of non-coding RNA with wider implications in cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Leone
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB21QR, UK.
| | | | | | - Barbara Hummel
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg 79108, Germany
| | - Lena Tittel
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg 79108, Germany
| | | | | | - Jun Hao Tan
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB21QR, UK
| | - Prashant Rawat
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg 79108, Germany
| | - Patrik Andersson
- Safety Innovation, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Anne E Willis
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB21QR, UK
| | - Ritwick Sawarkar
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB21QR, UK; Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg 79108, Germany.
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Shi Y, Feng Y, Wang Q, Dong G, Xia W, Jiang F. The Role of tRNA-Centered Translational Regulatory Mechanisms in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:77. [PMID: 38201505 PMCID: PMC10778012 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While numerous factors have been identified as contributing to the development of malignancy, our understanding of the mechanisms involved remains limited. Early cancer detection and the development of effective treatments are therefore critical areas of research. One class of molecules that play a crucial role in the transmission of genetic information are transfer RNAs (tRNAs), which are the most abundant RNA molecules in the human transcriptome. Dysregulated synthesis of tRNAs directly results in translation disorders and diseases, including cancer. Moreover, various types of tRNA modifications and the enzymes responsible for these modifications have been implicated in tumor biology. Furthermore, alterations in tRNA modification can impact tRNA stability, and impaired stability can prompt the cleavage of tRNAs into smaller fragments known as tRNA fragments (tRFs). Initially believed to be random byproducts lacking any physiological function, tRFs have now been redefined as non-coding RNA molecules with distinct roles in regulating RNA stability, translation, target gene expression, and other biological processes. In this review, we present recent findings on translational regulatory models centered around tRNAs in tumors, providing a deeper understanding of tumorigenesis and suggesting new directions for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjian Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 211166, China; (Y.S.); (Y.F.); (Q.W.); (G.D.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210009, China
- The Fourth Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yipeng Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 211166, China; (Y.S.); (Y.F.); (Q.W.); (G.D.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210009, China
- The Fourth Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Qinglin Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 211166, China; (Y.S.); (Y.F.); (Q.W.); (G.D.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210009, China
- The Fourth Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Gaochao Dong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 211166, China; (Y.S.); (Y.F.); (Q.W.); (G.D.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenjie Xia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 211166, China; (Y.S.); (Y.F.); (Q.W.); (G.D.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing 211166, China; (Y.S.); (Y.F.); (Q.W.); (G.D.)
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Cancer Research, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210009, China
- The Fourth Clinical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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Yu NJ, Dai W, Li A, He M, Kleiner RE. Cell type-specific translational regulation by human DUS enzymes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.03.565399. [PMID: 37965204 PMCID: PMC10635104 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Dihydrouridine is an abundant and conserved modified nucleoside present on tRNA, but characterization and functional studies of modification sites and associated DUS writer enzymes in mammals is lacking. Here we use a chemical probing strategy, RNABPP-PS, to identify 5-chlorouridine as an activity-based probe for human DUS enzymes. We map D modifications using RNA-protein crosslinking and chemical transformation and mutational profiling to reveal D modification sites on human tRNAs. Further, we knock out individual DUS genes in two human cell lines to investigate regulation of tRNA expression levels and codon-specific translation. We show that whereas D modifications are present across most tRNA species, loss of D only perturbs the translational function of a subset of tRNAs in a cell type-specific manner. Our work provides powerful chemical strategies for investigating D and DUS enzymes in diverse biological systems and provides insight into the role of a ubiquitous tRNA modification in translational regulation.
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