Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases (AARSs) are ubiquitous and evolutionarily conserved enzymes that catalyze the highly specific acylation of amino acids to cognate tRNAs. Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases are essential for accurate decoding of the triplet genetic code and for sustenance of all domains of life, including bacteria, archaea, and eukarya.

Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases also perform critical cellular activities unrelated to their primary function in aminoacylation. These noncanonical activities include regulation of gene transcription, mRNA translational control, angiogenesis, apoptosis, amino acid sensing, and cell signaling.