We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Stress-Induced tRNA Fragments Prove Early Predictors of Epileptic Seizures

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Jun 2019
Elevated levels of stress-induced fragments of transfer RNA in the blood may serve as biomarkers that indicate potential for an epileptic seizure hours before the event actually occurs.

A transfer RNA (abbreviated tRNA) is an adaptor molecule composed of ribonucleic acid, typically 76 to 90 nucleotides in length, which serves as the physical link between the mRNA and the amino acid sequence of proteins. More...
tRNA does this by carrying an amino acid to the protein synthetic machinery of a cell (ribosome) as directed by a three-nucleotide sequence (codon) in a molecule of mRNA. As such, tRNAs are a necessary component of translation, the biological synthesis of new proteins in accordance with the genetic code. When cells are stressed, tRNAs are cut into fragments.

Investigators at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Dublin) and the related biotech company FutureNeuro (Dublin, Ireland) proposed that higher levels of tRNA fragments in the blood might indicate that brain cells were under stress in the build up to a seizure event.

To test this hypothesis, the investigators collected plasma samples during video-EEG monitoring of focal epilepsy patients. Small RNA sequencing identified significant differences in three tRNA fragments (5′GlyGCC, 5′AlaTGC, and 5′GluCTC) between epilepsy patients and control subjects. Levels of these tRNA fragments were higher in pre-seizure than post-seizure samples, suggesting they may serve as biomarkers of seizure risk in epilepsy patients.

The investigators designed PCR-based assays to quantify tRNA fragments in a cohort of pre- and post-seizure plasma samples from focal epilepsy patients and healthy controls. Analysis of the results indicated that tRNA fragments potently distinguished pre- from post-seizure patients. Furthermore, elevated tRNA fragments levels were not detected in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, and did not result from medication tapering.

"New technologies to remove the unpredictability of uncontrolled seizures for people with epilepsy are a very real possibility," said contributing author Dr. David Henshall, professor of molecular physiology and neuroscience at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. "Building on this research we in FutureNeuro hope to develop a test prototype, similar to a blood sugar monitor that can potentially predict when a seizure might occur."

The tRNA biomarker study was published in the April 30, 2019, online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Related Links:
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
FutureNeuro



Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Autoimmune Disease Diagnostic
Chorus ds-DNA-G
New
Blood Glucose Test Strip
AutoSense Test
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New diagnostics could predict a woman’s risk of a common sexually transmitted infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Markers Could Predict Risk of Severe Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other reproductive complications when it spreads to the upper genital tract.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.