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tRNA Research Tools

nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array (H/M) — Profile tRNA Isoacceptors and Isodecoders in Hours

nrStar™ tRNA PCR Arrays profile 185 Human/Mouse tRNAs, covering all the nuclear anticodon isoacceptors catalogued in GtRNAdb, providing insights on both the isoacceptor and the specific isodecoder expression. Applied with the rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Cat# AS-FS-004), the PCR Arrays offer a new level of accuracy on tRNA detection.

384-well ready-to-run format · validated primers · results in hours

Overview

Ready-to-run qPCR panels for comprehensive tRNA expression profiling

nrStar™ tRNA PCR Arrays profile 185 Human/Mouse tRNAs, covering all the nuclear anticodon isoacceptors catalogued in GtRNAdb, providing insights on both the isoacceptor and the specific isodecoder expression. The panels focus on high-confidence tRNAs (tRNAScan score > 50, applicable to the Human tRNA PCR Array).

The entire tRNA qPCR using the panels requires the additional rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Cat# AS-FS-004) and Arraystar SYBR® Green Real-time qPCR Master Mix, sold separately. The pretreatment system removes methylations on the tRNA to obtain a new level of accuracy on tRNA detection.

What is the nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array?

The nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array is a 384-well, ready-to-run qPCR panel that profiles 185 human or mouse tRNAs, covering all nuclear anticodon isoacceptors catalogued in GtRNAdb and the isodecoders distinguishable by real-time PCR, giving a rapid view of tRNA expression.

Service at a Glance

Standard catalog products — human and mouse versions available

Product NameCatalog No.SizePrice
nrStar™ Human tRNA PCR Array V2.0AS-NR-001H-1384-well (2*192) / plate
nrStar™ Mouse tRNA PCR ArrayAS-NR-001M-1384-well (2*192) / plate

Benefits

Why researchers choose the nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array

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Complete Isoacceptor Coverage

Profiles all the nuclear anticodon isoacceptors provided by GtRNAdb.

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Isodecoder Resolution

Profiles all tRNA isodecoders distinguishable by real-time PCR.

🎯

High-Confidence Targets

Focuses on high-confidence tRNAs (tRNAScan score > 50*), applicable to the Human tRNA PCR Array.

Fully Validated Primers

Fully experimentally validated primers across numerous tissues and cell lines.

Results in Hours

Easy-to-use convenient panel to obtain results in hours.

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Works with rtStar™ Pretreatment

The most reliable tool for analyzing tRNA anticodon isoacceptors and isodecoders, applied with the rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Cat# AS-FS-004).

Background

tRNA pool and isodecoder biology

The tRNA pool, composed of tRNA isoacceptor families for each amino acid, has become an important source of insider information in the study of codon usage, protein translation efficiency and accuracy, biological processes, and human diseases. Also, a codon may be decoded by a near-cognate tRNA with a single mismatch. The cognate:near-cognate tRNA ratios in the tRNA pool are dynamically regulated to affect translation efficiency, fidelity, and transcript stability.

tRNAs with the same anticodon but having different body sequences are "isodecoders". The highly conserved tRNA isodecoder sequences can exhibit different tissue-specific expression and perform significantly different functions. For example, one of five mouse tRNA-Arg/UCU isodecoders is a central nervous system specific isodecoder, which has new functions of maintaining cell homeostasis and preventing neurodegeneration (Fig. 1).

Because tRNA genes are heavily methylated, the rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Cat# AS-FS-004) removes methylations on the tRNA before cDNA synthesis, providing a new level of accuracy on tRNA detection with the nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array.

Background References

  1. Gingold H, et al. A dual program for translation regulation in cellular proliferation and differentiation. Cell, 2014. PMID: 25215487
  2. Ishimura R, et al. RNA function. Ribosome stalling induced by mutation of a CNS-specific tRNA causes neurodegeneration. Science, 2014. PMID: 25061210

tRNA PCR Array Workflow

From RNA to tRNA expression profile in five steps

1

RNA Preparation

Total RNA is purified with small-RNA-retaining methods, followed by quality and quantity assessment.

2

rtStar™ Pretreatment

The rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Cat# AS-FS-004) removes methylations on tRNAs and synthesizes first-strand cDNA efficiently.

3

qPCR Setup

cDNA is applied directly to the ready-to-run 384-well nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array plate with Arraystar SYBR® Green Real-time qPCR Master Mix. No sample pre-amplification is needed.

4

Real-Time PCR

qPCR is run on a compatible 384-well real-time PCR instrument.

5

Data Analysis

The analysis tool computes tRNA expression levels for isoacceptors and isodecoders, with normalization references and quality controls.

Bioinformatics & Deliverables

Product specifications, analysis tools, and compatible instruments

Each nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array plate is fully validated, with spike-in control, positive PCR control, genomic DNA control, and normalization references to ensure the utmost data quality. The Human V2.0 tRNA list is based on GtRNAdb and mitotRNAdb; the Mouse tRNA list is based on GtRNAdb and mitotRNAdb.

Standard Deliverables

Compatible qPCR Instruments (384-Well Format Block)

Research Applications

tRNA expression profiling across biology and disease

Codon Usage & Translation

The tRNA pool, composed of isoacceptor families for each amino acid, informs studies of codon usage, protein translation efficiency and accuracy.

Cancer Biology

tRNA over-expression in breast cancer and modulated expression of specific tRNAs drive gene expression and cancer progression (Nucleic Acids Res, 2009; Cell, 2016).

Tissue-Specific Expression

Tissue-specific differences in human transfer RNA expression reveal dynamic tRNA repertoires (PLoS Genet, 2006).

Neurodegeneration

Ribosome stalling induced by mutation of a CNS-specific tRNA causes neurodegeneration (Science, 2014).

Translation Regulation

tRNA expression is a dual program for translation regulation in cellular proliferation and differentiation (Cell, 2014).

Sample Requirements

Recommended RNA input for nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array projects

RNA Amount & Quality

  • Total RNA input: > 5 µg per sample for the nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array (AS-NR-001) — the official recommended minimum for the entire experiment in a single attempt, including sample QC. Supply twice the recommended minimum to avoid project delays.
  • Purification: TRIzol / RNA precipitation or an RNA isolation kit. Because tRNA is < 200 nt, use a kit specified to retain small RNAs (e.g. Qiagen miRNeasy).
  • Concentration: > 20 ng/µL by Nanodrop; OD260/280 ~2.0 (acceptable 1.7–2.1); OD260/230 > 1.8.
  • Integrity: sharp 18S/28S rRNA bands by gel, or RIN > 7.0 by Bioanalyzer (serum/plasma/exosome/FFPE RNA exempt).
  • DNase treatment: required because the sample is used for qPCR.

Shipping Instructions

  • Ship RNA in nuclease-free water (> 20 ng/µL), freeze-dried, or in ethanol; store at −80 °C or in liquid nitrogen.
  • Use nuclease-free certified, screw-cap 1.5 mL microtubes; seal caps with Parafilm; place tubes in a plastic bag.
  • Use 10 kg dry ice as refrigerant; include a signed Project Form and the sample list.
  • Ship to: Arraystar Inc., 9430 Key West Avenue #128, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Contact us before shipping.

FAQ

Common questions about the nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array

What does the nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array profile?
The array profiles 185 human or mouse tRNAs, covering all the nuclear anticodon isoacceptors catalogued in GtRNAdb and the isodecoders distinguishable by real-time PCR. It provides insights on both isoacceptor and specific isodecoder expression, with a focus on high-confidence tRNAs (tRNAScan score greater than 50, applicable to the Human array).
Which additional products are required for the assay?
The entire tRNA qPCR using the panels requires the rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Cat# AS-FS-004) and Arraystar SYBR® Green Real-time qPCR Master Mix, sold separately. The pretreatment kit removes methylations on tRNAs to obtain a new level of accuracy on tRNA detection.
What is the recommended RNA input?
We recommend more than 5 µg of total RNA per sample — the official Arraystar recommended minimum for the entire experiment in a single attempt, including sample QC. Supplying twice the recommended minimum helps avoid project delays. DNase treatment is required because the sample is used for qPCR.
Which qPCR instruments are compatible?
The array is compatible with instruments equipped with a 384-well format block, including ABI ViiA™ 7, ABI 7500 & 7500 FAST, ABI 7900HT, ABI QuantStudio™ 5/6 Flex/7 Flex/12K Flex, Bio-Rad CFX384, Bio-Rad iCycler & iQ, Eppendorf Realplex, Stratagene Mx3000, and Roche Light Cycler 480.
How long does the assay take?
The array is an easy-to-use, convenient panel that obtains results in hours. cDNA prepared with the rtStar™ tRNA Pretreatment & First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit is applied directly to the ready-to-run plate with SYBR® Green Master Mix; no sample pre-amplification is needed.
What data analysis tools are provided?
Analysis tools are provided for both the Human and Mouse tRNA PCR Arrays, together with instructions for the Human tRNA qPCR data analysis tool and product manuals. The tools compute tRNA expression levels with normalization references and quality controls for isoacceptor and isodecoder interpretation.

Selected Publications

Featured Client Publications in tRNA Expression Research

  1. Shi D, et al. PUS1 regulates erythropoiesis via tRNA pseudouridylation and cytoplasmic translation. iScience, 2024. PMID: 38450158
  2. Wang C, et al. N2-methylguanosine modifications on human tRNAs and snRNA U6 are important for cell proliferation, protein translation and pre-mRNA splicing. Nucleic Acids Research, 2023. PMID: 37283053
  3. Harnett D, et al. A critical period of translational control during brain development at codon resolution. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2023. PMID: 36482253
  4. Wang L, et al. Clinical Significance of High Expression of tRF-Glu-TTC-2 in Prostate Carcinoma and its Effect on Growth. American Journal of Men's Health, 2022. PMID: 36377736
  5. Bayoumi A, et al. Mistranslation Drives Alterations in Protein Levels and the Effects of a Synonymous Variant at the Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Locus. Advanced Science, 2021. PMID: 34141520
  6. Chen M, et al. Nucleoporin TPR promotes tRNA nuclear export and protein synthesis in lung cancer cells. PLoS Genetics, 2021. PMID: 34793452
  7. Kuang M, et al. tRNA-based prognostic score in predicting survival outcomes of lung adenocarcinomas. International Journal of Cancer, 2019. PMID: 30838640
  8. Li M, et al. DNA damage-induced cell death relies on SLFN11-dependent cleavage of distinct type II tRNAs. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 2018. PMID: 30374083

Ready to Profile tRNA Isoacceptors and Isodecoders?

The nrStar™ tRNA PCR Array delivers comprehensive tRNA expression profiles in hours — request a quote or ask our team about the right panel for your study.