tRNA衍生片段的鉴定及对靶分子的调节机制

随着测序技术的发展和对tRNA衍生小分子(tRNA-derived small RNA,tsRNAs)的深入研究,越来越多的tsRNAs及其功能在各物种中被鉴定。tsRNAs根据切割位点的不同可分为tRNA衍生片段(tRNA-derived fragment,tRF)和tRNA应激诱导RNA(tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA,tiRNA),其中tRF是一类具有调节功能的非编码RNA。为了加深对tRF的研究,近年来一些基于测序数据的tRF鉴定方法和相关数据库不断涌现,前者主要包括Telonis等人的算法和tDRmapper方法,后者主要有tRFdb、tRF2Cancer和MINTbase等。同时这两者为tRF的深入研究提供了更有效的工具。大量的研究表明,tRF主要以类似miRNA的方式对RNA、DNA及蛋白质进行调节,但也存在特异的作用方式。随着对这三者的深入研究,研究人员发现tRF在人类疾病的各种生物过程中也扮演着重要的角色,例如可以作为生物标志物。因此本文主要对tRF的鉴定方法、数据库、对靶分子的调节机制及其与人类疾病的关系作一综述。

Identification of tRNA-Derived Fragments and Their Regulatory Mechanisms on Target Molecules

With the development of sequencing technology and in-depth research on tRNA-derived small molecules (tsRNAs), more and more tRNAs and their functions have been identified in various species. tsRNAs can be divided into tRNA-derived fragment (tRF) and tRNA-derived stress-induced RNA (tiRNA) according to different cleavage sites. And we will focus on tRF, which is a kind of non-coding RNA with regulatory function. To deepen the research of tRF, a large number of tRF identification methods based on sequencing data and corresponding databases are being constructed in recent years. The former mainly includes the method of Telonis et al. and tDRmapper, while the latter mainly includes tRFdb, tRF2Cancer and MINTbase. At the same time, both provide a more effective tool for the in-depth research of tRF. The regulation mechanisms of tRF are also being illustrated in many studies. tRF mainly regulates the expression of RNA, DNA and proteins in a miRNA-like manner. With further investigations, researchers have found that tRF also plays a specific regulatory role in various biological processes of human diseases, suggesting its role as a potential biomarker. Herein we mainly summarize the identification methods, databases, regulation mechanisms of tRF and its role in human diseases.