Abstract : Small non-coding RNAs derived from transfer RNAs have been identified as a broadly conserved prokaryotic and eukaryotic response to stress. Their presence coincides with changes in developmental state associated with gene expression regulation. In the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi, tRNA fragments localize to posterior cytoplasmic granules. In the infective metacyclic form of the parasite, we found tRNA-derived fragments to be abundant and evenly distributed within the cytoplasm. The fragments were not associated with polysomes, suggesting that the tRNA-derived fragments may not be directly involved in translation control in metacyclics.
Larissa Reifur, Maria Rosa Garcia-Silva, Saloê Bispo Poubel, Lysangela Ronalte Alves, Paulo Arauco, et al.. Distinct subcellular localization of tRNA-derived fragments in the infective metacyclic forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz., Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde, 2012, 107 (6), pp.816-9. ⟨10.1590/S0074-02762012000600018⟩. ⟨pasteur-00844776⟩