Dynamic regulation of tRNA modifications in Cancer

peer reviewedTransfer RNAs are decorated by chemical modifications of their nucleosides. These modifications affect all aspects of tRNA biology including translation and tRNA turnover. Interestingly, it was discovered decades ago that levels of modified tRNA nucleosides are changed in cancer patients and that the activity of modifying enzymes varies along with an altered turnover of tRNAs. The advent of new methods has sparked a new interest in this connection. Here, we give an overview on what is known about the link between tRNA modifications and cancer and how dynamic alterations in this fundamental cellular phenomenon may contribute to the malignancy of tumors