tRNAs

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are a family of non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that are involved in protein translation. Cleavage of tRNA through stress-induced ribonucleases results in the production of short tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs), such as tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs). Recent studies have identified three tRFs - 5'AlaTGC, 5'GluCTC, and 5'GlyGCC - to be released from neurons and significantly elevated in epilepsy patients. Extracellular 5'tRFs are taken up by neurons and act in paracrine to inhibit protein translation.