tRNA-derived fragment tRF-Glu49 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cervical cancer by targeting FGL1

A transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragment was found to be a new possible biological marker and target in carcinoma therapy. However, the effect exerted by tRFs on cervical carcinoma is still unclear. We identify the potential tumor suppressor gene tRF-Glu49 in cervical carcinoma through tRF and ti-RNA microarray investigation. We then demonstrated that tRF-Glu49 showed downregulation within the cervical carcinoma tissue and was associated with less aggressive clinical features and a better prognosis. Phenotypic studies revealed that tRF-Glu49 inhibited cervical cell proliferation, migration, and invasion processes. Mechanistic investigation revealed that tRF-Glu49 directly regulated the oncogene, fibrinogen-like protein-1 (FGL1). In general, according to the result achieved in this study, tRF-Glu49 can modulate cervical cell proliferation, migration, and invasion processes through the target process for FGL1, and tRF-Glu49 is likely to be a possible prognostic biological marker in patients with cervical carcinoma.