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Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase as a Potential Therapeutic Target.

Young Ha AhnSe-Chan OhShengtao ZhouTae-Don Kim
Published in: International journal of molecular sciences (2021)
Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (WRS) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the ligation of tryptophan (Trp) to its cognate tRNAtrp during translation via aminoacylation. Interestingly, WRS also plays physiopathological roles in diseases including sepsis, cancer, and autoimmune and brain diseases and has potential as a pharmacological target and therapeutic. However, WRS is still generally regarded simply as an enzyme that produces Trp in polypeptides; therefore, studies of the pharmacological effects, therapeutic targets, and mechanisms of action of WRS are still at an emerging stage. This review summarizes the involvement of WRS in human diseases. We hope that this will encourage further investigation into WRS as a potential target for drug development in various pathological states including infection, tumorigenesis, and autoimmune and brain diseases.
Keyphrases
  • multiple sclerosis
  • endothelial cells
  • resting state
  • acute kidney injury
  • intensive care unit
  • functional connectivity
  • squamous cell carcinoma
  • young adults
  • septic shock
  • heat shock
  • blood brain barrier