The Functions and Mechanisms of tRNA Methylation Modifications in Cell Cycle Regulation
10.13865/j.cnki.cjbmb.2025.03.1520
- VernacularTitle:tRNA甲基化修饰在细胞周期中的作用与机制
- Author:
Xing-Yu CHEN
1
;
Xing-Zhen CHEN
1
Author Information
1. 湖北工业大学生命科学与健康工程学院,细胞调控与分子药物学科创新引智基地("111"基地),武汉 430068
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
tRNA;
methylation;
post-transcriptional modification(PTM);
cell cycle
- From:
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2025;41(8):1127-1136
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
tRNA is one of the RNA molecules with the most diverse post-transcriptional modifications.It not only functions as an adaptor molecule transporting amino acids during translation but also relies on its extensive post-transcriptional modifications to regulate gene expression,thereby influencing numerous bio-logical processes.These modifications are dynamically regulated by tRNA methyltransferases and demeth-ylases,which collaboratively maintain a balance-the former catalyze methyl group addition,while the latter remove methyl groups,ensuring reversible control.Mutations or dysregulation of these enzymes are closely associated with tumorigenesis and other diseases,constituting a major research focus.They pro-mote tumor progression through two distinct pathways:cytoplasmic tRNA(ctRNA)methylation enhances the translation of oncogenes,whereas mitochondrial tRNA(mtRNA)methylation optimizes mitochondrial protein synthesis to reprogram energy metabolism.From the dual dimensions of"enzyme supply"and"energy provision",tRNA methylation establishes a material foundation for tumor cell growth and directly contributes to cell cycle dysregulation.The cell cycle,an orderly process governing cell division,is tight-ly controlled by checkpoint proteins to guarantee accurate genetic information transmission.Notably,ab-errant cell cycle activation is not only a hallmark of cancer but also a pivotal therapeutic target.tRNA methyltransferases and demethylases exert multidimensional control over both cell cycle progression and metabolic adaptation.Elucidating the mechanisms underlying tRNA modification mediated cell cycle reg-ulation will not only accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets but may also overcome the con-straints of conventional cell cycle targeted therapies.Within this context,we systematically review the molecular mechanisms by which tRNA methylation-modifying enzymes regulate the cell cycle,with an emphasis on their translational potential.
