A 3′-tRNA-derived fragment enhances cell proliferation, migration and invasion in gastric cancer by targeting FBXO47.

Increasing evidence demonstrates that tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) exert important effects and are dysregulated in various human cancer types. However, their roles in gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. Here we identified the functional effects of tRF-3019a (derived from tRNA-Ala-AGC-1-1) in GC. We demonstrated that tRF-3019a was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Phenotypic studies revealed that tRF-3019a overexpression enhances GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Conversely, tRF-3019a knockdown inhibits GC cell malignant activities. Mechanistic investigation implies that tRF-3019a directly regulates tumor suppressor gene FBXO47. Furthermore, tRF-3019a levels may discriminate GC tissues from nontumorous tissues. Taken together, our results reveal that tRF-3019a modulates GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting FBXO47, and it may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for GC. • tRNA-derived fragment 3019a (tRF-3019a) is upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. • Overexpression of tRF-3019a enhances cell proliferation, migration and invasion in gastric cancer. • tRF-3019a affects gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting FBXO47. • tRF-3019a could serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker in gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]