A novel tyrosine tRNA-derived fragment, tRFTyr, induces oncogenesis and lactate accumulation in LSCC by interacting with LDHA

tsRNA in head and neck tumors: Opportunities and challenges in the field

Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a newly recognized class of small non-coding RNAs that are implicated in a variety of cancers, including head and neck tumors. Studies have identified tsRNAs with differential expression profiles in head and neck malignancies, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Functional analyses show that tsRNAs are involved in regulating critical cellular pathways, including those related to cell proliferation, migration, and metabolic processes. Despite these encouraging insights, there are myriad challenges that must be tackled. In summary, tsRNAs present considerable potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in the realm of head and neck tumors, meriting further investigation and clinical application to optimize outcomes in the management of these complex diseases. This literature review synthesizes current research on tsRNAs, tsRNAs hold significant promise as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, with the potential to transform diagnostic and treatment strategies for head and neck tumors, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs): establishing their dominance in the regulation of human cancer

The main function of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) is to carry amino acids into the ribosome and synthesize proteins under the guidance of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). In addition to this, it has been observed that tRNAs undergo precise cleavage at specific loci, giving rise to an extensive array of distinct small RNAs, termed tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). Existing studies have shown that tsRNAs are widely present across various organisms and comprehensively regulate gene expression, aberrant expression of tsRNAs is inextricably linked to tumorigenesis and development, thus, a systematic understanding of tsRNAs is necessary. This review aims to comprehensively delineate the genesis and expression patterns of tsRNAs, elucidate their diverse functions and emphasize their prospective clinical application as biomarkers and targets for therapy. It is noteworthy that we innovatively address the roles played by tsRNAs in human cancers at the level of the hallmarks of tumorigenesis proposed by Hanahan in anticipation of a broad understanding of tsRNAs and to guide the treatment of tumors.

TiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 is associated with progression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments, generated by the cleavage of mature and pre-tRNAs, play a vital role in the tumorigenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between tRNA-derived fragments and the prognosis of patients with HCC has not been thoroughly studied. This study aims to discuss the relationship between tiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 and the prognosis of HCC patients and its role in guiding HCC treatment.

Methods

In this study, the differently expressed tRNA-derived fragments were screened out from the tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues. These tRNA-derived fragments were validated in the tissues and serum samples of patients with HCC by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The target genes of the tRNA-derived fragments were predicted with the microRNA target prediction database (miRDB), which was proceeded with gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). After that, we analyzed the prognostic effect of the tRNA-derived fragment in relapse-free survival (RFS). Based on univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent prognostic factors for RFS were obtained. In addition, a column chart was constructed based on clinical pathological features and tiRNAGly-GCC-002.

Results

The tiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 was ultimately served as the candidate gene. Function analysis indicated that tiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 was primarily involved in adenyl nucleotide binding, cell cycle, cell cycle process and chromosome organization. We found that patients with high expression level of tiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 had worse prognosis than low expression level. The univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that tiRNAGly-GCC-002 was an important prognostic factor. Furthermore, the nomogram by combining tiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 expression level (P=0.03) and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level (P=0.001) was established to predict the prognosis of patients with HCC [concordance index (C-index): 0.789].

Conclusions

In summary, the tiRNA-Gly-GCC-002 can predict the outcome of patients with HCC, which may play a vital role in directing the treatment of HCC.

Transfer RNA‑derived small RNAs: A class of potential biomarkers in multiple cancers (Review)

Transfer (t)RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a class of novel non-coding small RNAs that are created via precise cleavage of tRNAs or tRNA precursors by different enzymes. tsRNAs are specific biological molecules that serve essential roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modification and translational regulation. Additionally, tsRNAs participate in the pathogenesis of several diseases, particularly in the development of malignant tumors. At present, the process of discovering and understanding the functions of tsRNAs is still in its early stages. The present review introduces the known biological functions and mechanisms of tsRNAs, and discusses the tsRNAs progression in several types of cancers as well as the possibility of tsRNAs becoming novel tumor biomarkers. Furthermore, tsRNAs may promote and hinder tumor formation according to different mechanisms and act as oncogenic or oncostatic molecules. Therefore, tsRNAs may be future potential tumor biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

A novel tiRNA-Glu-CTC induces nanoplastics accelerated vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and vascular injury through mitochondrial damage

Nanoplastics pose several health hazards, especially vascular toxicity. Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel noncoding RNAs associated with different pathological processes. However, their biological roles and mechanisms in aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) plasticity and vascular injury are unclear. This study investigated the potent effects of tsRNAs on vascular injury induced by short- and long-term exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). Mice were exposed to PS-NPs (100 nm) at different doses (10-100 μg/mL) for 30 or 180 days. High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze tsRNA expression patterns in arterial tissues obtained from an in vivo model. Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, fluorescent in situ hybridization assays, and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to measure the expression and impact of tiRNA-Glu-CTC on VSMCs exposed to PS-NPs. Short-term (≥50 μg/mL, moderate concentration) and long-term (≥10 μg/mL, low concentration) PS-NP exposure induced vascular injury in vivo. Cellular experiments showed that the moderate concentration of PS-NPs induced VSMC phenotypic switching, whereas a high concentration of PS-NPs (100 μg/mL) promoted VSMC apoptosis. PS-NP induced severe mitochondrial damage in VSMCs, including overexpression of reactive oxygen species, accumulation of mutated mtDNA, and dysregulation of genes related to mitochondrial synthesis and division. Compared with the control group, 13 upregulated and 12 downregulated tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) were observed in the long-term PS-NP (50 μg/mL) exposure group. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed tiRNAs targeted genes that were involved in vascular smooth muscle contraction and calcium signaling pathways. Interestingly, tiRNA-Glu-CTC was overexpressed in vivo and in vitro following PS-NP exposure. Functionally, the tiRNA-Glu-CTC inhibitor mitigated VSMC phenotypic switching and mitochondrial damage induced by PS-NP exposure, whereas tiRNA-Glu-CTC mimics had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, tiRNA-Glu-CTC mimics induced VSMC phenotypic switching by downregulating Cacna1f expression. PS-NP exposure promoted VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular injury by targeting the tiRNA-Glu-CTC/Cacna1f axis.

tRNA-Derived Small RNAs: A Novel Regulatory Small Noncoding RNA in Renal Diseases

Background

tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are an emerging class of small noncoding RNAs derived from tRNA cleavage.

Summary

With the development of high-throughput sequencing, various biological roles of tsRNAs have been gradually revealed, including regulation of mRNA stability, transcription, translation, direct interaction with proteins and as epigenetic factors, etc. Recent studies have shown that tsRNAs are also closely related to renal disease. In clinical acute kidney injury (AKI) patients and preclinical AKI models, the production and differential expression of tsRNAs in renal tissue and plasma were observed. Decreased expression of tsRNAs was also found in urine exosomes from chronic kidney disease patients. Dysregulation of tsRNAs also appears in models of nephrotic syndrome and patients with lupus nephritis. And specific tsRNAs were found in high glucose model in vitro and in serum of diabetic nephropathy patients. In addition, tsRNAs were also differentially expressed in patients with kidney cancer and transplantation.

Key Messages

In the present review, we have summarized up-to-date works and reviewed the relationship and possible mechanisms between tsRNAs and kidney diseases.

Transfer RNA-derived small RNA tRF-Glu-CTC attenuates neointimal formation via inhibition of fibromodulin

Neointimal hyperplasia is a pathological vascular remodeling caused by abnormal proliferation and migration of subintimal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) following intimal injury. There is increasing evidence that tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) plays an important role in vascular remodeling. The purpose of this study is to search for tsRNAs signature of neointima formation and to explore their potential functions. The balloon injury model of rat common carotid artery was replicated to induce intimal hyperplasia, and the differentially expressed tsRNAs (DE-tsRNAs) in arteries with intimal hyperplasia were screened by small RNA sequencing and tsRNA library. A total of 24 DE-tsRNAs were found in the vessels with intimal hyperplasia by small RNA sequencing. In vitro, tRF-Glu-CTC inhibited the expression of fibromodulin (FMOD) in VSMCs, which is a negative modulator of TGF-β1 activity. tRF-Glu-CTC also increased VSMC proliferation and migration. In vivo experiments showed that inhibition of tRF-Glu-CTC expression after balloon injury of rat carotid artery can reduce the neointimal area. In conclusion, tRF-Glu-CTC expression is increased after vascular injury and inhibits FMOD expression in VSMCs, which influences neointima formation. On the other hand, reducing the expression of tRF-Glu-CTC after vascular injury may be a potential approach to prevent vascular stenosis.