tRNA renovatio: rebirth through fragmentation

B Kuhle, Q Chen, P Schimmel - Molecular cell, 2023 - cell.com
B Kuhle, Q Chen, P Schimmel
Molecular cell, 2023cell.com
Summary tRNA function is based on unique structures that enable mRNA decoding using
anticodon trinucleotides. These structures interact with specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases
and ribosomes using 3D shape and sequence signatures. Beyond translation, tRNAs serve
as versatile signaling molecules interacting with other RNAs and proteins. Through
evolutionary processes, tRNA fragmentation emerges as not merely random degradation but
an act of recreation, generating specific shorter molecules called tRNA-derived small RNAs …
Summary
tRNA function is based on unique structures that enable mRNA decoding using anticodon trinucleotides. These structures interact with specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and ribosomes using 3D shape and sequence signatures. Beyond translation, tRNAs serve as versatile signaling molecules interacting with other RNAs and proteins. Through evolutionary processes, tRNA fragmentation emerges as not merely random degradation but an act of recreation, generating specific shorter molecules called tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). These tsRNAs exploit their linear sequences and newly arranged 3D structures for unexpected biological functions, epitomizing the tRNA "renovatio" (from Latin, meaning renewal, renovation, and rebirth). Emerging methods to uncover full tRNA/tsRNA sequences and modifications, combined with techniques to study RNA structures and to integrate AI-powered predictions, will enable comprehensive investigations of tRNA fragmentation products and new interaction potentials in relation to their biological functions. We anticipate that these directions will herald a new era for understanding biological complexity and advancing pharmaceutical engineering.
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