Molecular messengers of the brain: tRNA-derived small RNAs at the crossroads of brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Brain development is tightly regulated by different modulators and mechanisms. Disruptions in these processes underlie a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders. Among non-coding RNAs, which usually act as key regulators of brain development, tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) have recently emerged as functional regulators, rather than mere degradation byproducts. Abundantly and dynamically expressed in the brain, tsRNAs influence translation, epigenetics, and RNA-protein interactions, suggesting roles in neurogenesis, synaptic development, and synaptic plasticity. This review synthesizes current knowledge on tsRNA biogenesis, classification, and molecular functions, with a particular focus on their roles in brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. We highlight how tsRNAs may act as modulators, serve as potential biomarkers, and represent novel therapeutic targets in these conditions. By integrating emerging findings and identifying key knowledge gaps, we aim to establish tsRNAs as pivotal players in both brain health and disease.

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  Neurobiology of Disease

• Publication date

  2025-12-01

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.nbd.2025.107146PMID 41615845
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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