tRNA(Ini) (CAT) inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) brings a heavy blow to the patient's voice. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a common RNA, the roles of tRNAs in LSCC are largely unknown. METHODS: The tRNA expression profile in LSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was measured by a tRNA qRT‐PCR array. The expression level of tRNA(Ini) (CAT) in LSCC tissues and plasmas was detected by qRT‐PCR. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established. tRNA(Ini) (CAT) was upregulated by a lentivirus vector in the LSCC cell line. Moreover, tRNA(Ini) (CAT) was upregulated in LSCC xenograft nude mouse model and the xenografts were used for pathological analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. RESULTS: The top 10 upregulated tRNAs were tRNA(Lys) (CTT)‐1, tRNA(Leu) (TAA), tRNA(Phe) (GAA), tRNA(Leu) (CAG), tRNA(Tyr) (ATA), tRNA(Met) (CAT), tRNA(Tyr) (GTA)‐1, tRNA(Thr) (CGT), tRNA(Tyr) (GTA)‐2, tRNA(Ala) (AGC); and the top 10 downregulated tRNAs were tRNA(Ini) (CAT), mt‐tRNA(Glu) (TTC), tRNA(Val) (CAC)‐3, mt‐tRNA(Trp) (TCA), mt‐tRNA(Tyr) (GTA), mt‐tRNA(Lys) (TTT), mt‐tRNA(Thr) (TGT), mt‐tRNA(Asp) (GTC), mt‐tRNA(Asn) (GTT), mt‐tRNA(Pro) (TGG). tRNA(Ini) (CAT) was downregulated in LSCC tissues and plasma. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) in LSCC tissues and the plasma of patients with LSCC was 0.717 and 0.808, respectively. tRNA(Ini) (CAT) inhibited LSCC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. The in vivo results showed that tRNA(Ini) (CAT) inhibited the growth of the xenografts and promoted apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to provide tRNA expression profiles for LSCC tissues. tRNA(Ini) (CAT) may be used as a new biomarker for the early diagnosis of LSCC. tRNA(Ini) (CAT) inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.