A Comprehensive Expression Profile of tRNA-Derived Fragments in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Objective: In recent years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of malignant thyroid tumor, accounting for approximately 85% of thyroid cancer cases. Although the genetic background of PTC has been studied extensively, relatively little is known about the role of small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) in this disease. tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) represent a newly discovered class of sncRNAs that exist in many species and play a role in many biological processes. Methods: In this study, we used RNA sequencing to analyse the expression of tRFs in fresh frozen specimens from PTC tissues and normal tissues adjacent to the tumors. Through this analysis, we identified 49 unique tRFs and transfer RNA halves and then performed quantitative PCR to determine the expression levels of these molecules and to make bioinformatic predictions. Conclusion: In this report, we provide a comprehensive catalog of tRFs in PTC and assess the abnormal expression of these fragments. These preliminary findings can be used as the basis for further research regarding the functional role of tRFs in patients with PTC.