tRNA-derived fragments: Mechanisms underlying their regulation of gene expression and potential applications as therapeutic targets in cancers and virus infections

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are a new category of regulatory noncoding RNAs with distinct biological functions in cancers and stress-induced diseases. Herein, we first summarize the classification biogenesis tRFs. tRFs produced from pre-tRNAs or mature tRNAs. Based on incision loci, classified into several types: tRF-1, tRF-2, tRF-3, tRF-5, i-tRF. Some participate posttranscriptional regulation through microRNA-like actions by displacing RNA binding proteins regulating protein translation promoting ribosome interfering initiation. Other prevent cell apoptosis to cytochrome c virus replication. More importantly, dysregulation has important clinical implications. They potential diagnostic prognostic biomarkers gastric cancer, liver breast prostate chronic lymphocytic leukemia. may become therapeutic targets for treatment diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma respiratory syncytial infection. Finally, point out existing problems future research directions associated In conclusion, current progress reveals that they have implications constitute novel molecular modulating pathological processes.