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tRNA Research Tools

NuRNA™ tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array (H) — Profile 85 tRNA Modification Enzymes in One Assay

Arraystar NuRNA™ Human tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array profiles the gene expression of 85 critical enzymes and protein factors involved in tRNA modifications. The Array is a rapid, convenient, and powerful tool to explore and analyze these tRNA modifiers for their roles in shaping up, fine tuning, and regulating tRNA functions such as in protein translation, metabolism, stress response, and diseases.

First commercial tRNA modifier panel · 85 enzymes · ready-to-run 384-well format

Overview

The first commercial PCR panel for tRNA modification enzymes

The NuRNA™ Human tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array profiles the gene expression of 85 critical enzymes and protein factors involved in tRNA modifications. The panel contains 85 validated or predicted tRNA modification enzymes or protein factors compiled from research publications and authoritative databases including UniProt and Modomics.

Each assay on the panel is rigorously validated across many tissues and cell lines. Spike-in control, Positive PCR Control, Genomic DNA Control, and normalization references are included to ensure the utmost data quality. Arraystar recommends using the rtStar™ First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (AS-FS-001) along with Arraystar SYBR® Green Real-time qPCR Master Mix for optimal performance.

What is the NuRNA™ tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array?

The NuRNA™ Human tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array is a 384-well qPCR panel profiling the expression of 85 validated or predicted tRNA modification enzymes and protein factors, compiled from publications and databases including UniProt and Modomics, with rigorous validation across tissues and cell lines.

Service at a Glance

Standard catalog product

Product NameCatalog No.SizePrice
NuRNA™ Human tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR ArrayAS-NM-001-1384 (4x96)-well plate
NuRNA™ Human tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array (Roche Light Cycler 480)AS-NM-001-1-R384 (4x96)-well plate

Benefits

Why researchers choose the NuRNA™ array

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Best Content

Covers all the tRNA modification enzymes in UniProt and Modomics.

Rigorous Validation

All primer pairs and assays are elaborately optimized and rigorously validated.

Convenient Format

Easy-to-use plate format for direct sample application for full profiling. No sample pre-amplification is needed.

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85 Enzymes & Factors

Profiles 85 validated or predicted tRNA modification enzymes and protein factors in one assay.

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Quality Controls

Spike-in control, Positive PCR Control, Genomic DNA Control, and normalization references included.

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System-Compatible

Recommended with the rtStar™ First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (AS-FS-001) and Arraystar SYBR® Green Real-time qPCR Master Mix.

Background

Why tRNA modification enzymes matter

tRNAs are the key component in protein translation to decode genetic codes with the charged amino acids. Recent studies have revealed tRNAs, as well as their derived small noncoding RNA fragments, are dynamically regulated and have non-canonical functions such as adaptive translation, cell proliferation/differentiation, stress response, metabolism, and diseases [1].

tRNAs are heavily decorated posttranscriptionally with numerous chemical modifications. The modifications are essential for shaping up, fine tuning, and regulating all aspects of tRNA functioning, such as folding, stability, and decoding. For example, modifications in the stem-loops are crucial for tRNA structure and stability, in the anticodon loop for translation accuracy, at position 34 for codon-anticodon wobbling, and adjacent to the anticodon loop for fine tuning the codon-anticodon interaction (Fig. 1).

These chemical modifications are dynamically regulated and catalyzed by tRNA modification enzymes [2]. Mutations or dysregulation of tRNA modifiers have been associated with diseases, for example, mutations in cytosine-5 RNA methyltransferase (NSUN2) with microcephaly [3] and t6A methylthiolation enzymes with type 2 diabetes [4]. The emerging importance of tRNA modifications in diseases calls for additional work [5, 6].

Figure 1. Human tRNA modifications and tRNA modification enzymes (in parentheses).
Figure 1. Human tRNA modifications and tRNA modification enzymes (in parentheses).

Background References

  1. Kirchner S, Ignatova Z. Emerging roles of tRNA in adaptive translation, signalling dynamics and disease. Nature Reviews Genetics, 2015. PMID: 25534324
  2. El Yacoubi B, et al. Biosynthesis and function of posttranscriptional modifications of transfer RNAs. Annual Review of Genetics, 2012. PMID: 22905870
  3. Blanco S, et al. Aberrant methylation of tRNAs links cellular stress to neuro-developmental disorders. The EMBO Journal, 2014. PMID: 25063673
  4. Zhou B, et al. Identification of a splicing variant that regulates type 2 diabetes risk factor CDKAL1 level by a coding-independent mechanism in human. Human Molecular Genetics, 2014. PMID: 24760768
  5. Zhang X, et al. Small RNA Modifications: Integral to Function and Disease. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2016. PMID: 27840066

PCR Array Workflow

From RNA to tRNA modifier expression profile

1

RNA Preparation

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

2

cDNA Synthesis

First-strand cDNA is synthesized with the rtStar™ First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (AS-FS-001).

3

qPCR Setup

cDNA is applied directly to the ready-to-run 384-well 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 the expression of 85 tRNA modification enzymes with normalization references and quality controls.

Bioinformatics & Deliverables

Product specifications, gene list, and tools

The array profiles 85 human tRNA modification enzymes/proteins with their corresponding modifications, including ADAT1 (m1I37), ALKBH8 (mcm5U34 family), CDKAL1 (ms2A37), METTL1 (m7G46), NSUN2 (m5C49), PUS1 (pseudouridine), TRMT1 (m2G26/m22G26), TRMT6/TRMT61A (m1A58), and many more.

Standard Deliverables

Compatible qPCR Instruments (384-Well Format Block)

Research Applications

tRNA modification enzyme research applications

Disease Mechanism Studies

Mutations or dysregulation of tRNA modifiers are associated with diseases: NSUN2 mutations with microcephaly and t6A methylthiolation enzymes with type 2 diabetes.

Epitranscriptomics

Profile the writers of tRNA modifications to link modification enzymes with tRNA function and disease.

Stress Response & Metabolism

tRNA modifications are dynamically regulated in adaptive translation, cell proliferation/differentiation, stress response, and metabolism.

Translation Regulation

Understand how modification enzymes shape tRNA folding, stability, and decoding.

Sample Requirements

Recommended RNA input for NuRNA™ array projects

RNA Amount & Quality

  • Total RNA input: > 5 µg per sample is recommended for qPCR array projects (official Arraystar recommended minimum for the entire experiment in a single attempt, including sample QC).
  • 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 NuRNA™ array

How many genes does the array profile?
The NuRNA™ Human tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array profiles the gene expression of 85 critical enzymes and protein factors involved in tRNA modifications, compiled from research publications and authoritative databases including UniProt and Modomics. Each assay is rigorously validated across many tissues and cell lines.
Which enzymes are included on the panel?
The panel includes validated or predicted tRNA modification enzymes and protein factors such as ADAT1/2/3, ALKBH1/8, CDKAL1, CTU1/2, METTL1, METTL2A/2B, NSUN2/6, PUS1/3/10, QTRT1/2, TRDMT1, TRIT1, TRMT1, TRMT6/61A, TRMT10A/B/C, and many more, each annotated with its corresponding modification in the gene list.
Which additional products are recommended?
Arraystar recommends using the rtStar™ First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (AS-FS-001) along with Arraystar SYBR® Green Real-time qPCR Master Mix when running the NuRNA™ tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array for optimal performance, with both products sold separately and available to order.
What is the recommended RNA input?
We recommend more than 5 µg of total RNA per sample for qPCR array projects — 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 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.
What quality controls are included?
Spike-in control, Positive PCR Control, Genomic DNA Control, and normalization references are included to ensure the utmost data quality. An analysis tool (v2.01) is provided to compute the expression of the 85 enzymes with these controls and references across experimental groups.

Selected Publications

Key References for tRNA Modification Enzymes Research

  1. Kirchner S, Ignatova Z. Emerging roles of tRNA in adaptive translation, signalling dynamics and disease. Nature Reviews Genetics, 2015. PMID: 25534324
  2. El Yacoubi B, et al. Biosynthesis and function of posttranscriptional modifications of transfer RNAs. Annual Review of Genetics, 2012. PMID: 22905870
  3. Blanco S, et al. Aberrant methylation of tRNAs links cellular stress to neuro-developmental disorders. The EMBO Journal, 2014. PMID: 25063673
  4. Zhou B, et al. Identification of a splicing variant that regulates type 2 diabetes risk factor CDKAL1 level by a coding-independent mechanism in human. Human Molecular Genetics, 2014. PMID: 24760768
  5. Zhang X, et al. Small RNA Modifications: Integral to Function and Disease. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2016. PMID: 27840066
  6. Suzuki T, Nagao A, Suzuki T. Human mitochondrial tRNAs: biogenesis, function, structural aspects, and diseases. Annual Review of Genetics, 2011. PMID: 21910628

Ready to Profile tRNA Modification Enzymes?

The NuRNA™ tRNA Modification Enzymes PCR Array profiles 85 enzymes in one ready-to-run plate — request a quote or ask about the full gene list.