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The emerging landscape of small nucleolar RNAs in cell biology
Author(s) -
DupuisSandoval Fabien,
Poirier Mikaël,
Scott Michelle S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: rna
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.225
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1757-7012
pISSN - 1757-7004
DOI - 10.1002/wrna.1284
Subject(s) - small nucleolar rna , ribosome biogenesis , biology , computational biology , non coding rna , rna , riboswitch , long non coding rna , ribosomal rna , genetics , small rna , biogenesis , ribosome , gene
Small nucleolar RNAs ( snoRNAs ) are a large class of small noncoding RNAs present in all eukaryotes sequenced thus far. As a family, they have been well characterized as playing a central role in ribosome biogenesis, guiding either the sequence‐specific chemical modification of pre‐ rRNA (ribosomal RNA) or its processing. However, in higher eukaryotes, numerous orphan snoRNAs were described over a decade ago, with no known target or ascribed function, suggesting the possibility of alternative cellular functionality. In recent years, thanks in great part to advances in sequencing methodologies, we have seen many examples of the diversity that exists in the snoRNA family on multiple levels. In this review, we discuss the identification of novel snoRNA members, of unexpected binding partners, as well as the clarification and extension of the snoRNA target space and the characterization of diverse new noncanonical functions, painting a new and extended picture of the snoRNA landscape. Under the deluge of novel features and functions that have recently come to light, snoRNAs emerge as a central, dynamic, and highly versatile group of small regulatory RNAs . WIREs RNA 2015, 6:381–397. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1284 This article is categorized under: RNA Evolution and Genomics > Ribonomics RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs