Modulation of in vitro kidney cell growth by hepatic transfer RNAs.

The quiescent and proliferating status of the cell appears characterized by two different tRNA populations. The tRNA species changed both as relative percentage of total tRNA and in absolute concentration. The changes seem causally related to the proliferation status of the cell as tRNAs from proliferating hepatocytes were able to stimulate in vitro kidney cell growth. Moreover, tRNAs from quiescent hepatocytes inhibited kidney cell growth. It was concluded that the composition of tRNA population can modulate the proliferative behaviour of the cell.