Regulatory role of small nucleolar RNAs in human diseases

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:206849. doi: 10.1155/2015/206849. Epub 2015 Apr 28.

Abstract

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are appreciable players in gene expression regulation in human cells. The canonical function of box C/D and box H/ACA snoRNAs is posttranscriptional modification of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), namely, 2'-O-methylation and pseudouridylation, respectively. A series of independent studies demonstrated that snoRNAs, as well as other noncoding RNAs, serve as the source of various short regulatory RNAs. Some snoRNAs and their fragments can also participate in the regulation of alternative splicing and posttranscriptional modification of mRNA. Alterations in snoRNA expression in human cells can affect numerous vital cellular processes. SnoRNA level in human cells, blood serum, and plasma presents a promising target for diagnostics and treatment of human pathologies. Here we discuss the relation between snoRNAs and oncological, neurodegenerative, and viral diseases and also describe changes in snoRNA level in response to artificial stress and some drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System / genetics
  • Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / metabolism*
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Virus Diseases / genetics
  • Virus Diseases / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar