Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases

ABSTRACT Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes and are extensively implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of snoRNAs, encompassing their classification, biogen...

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Main Authors: Yi Wang, Min Fu, Zaiyong Zheng, Jianguo Feng, Chunxiang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:MedComm
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70257
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author Yi Wang
Min Fu
Zaiyong Zheng
Jianguo Feng
Chunxiang Zhang
author_facet Yi Wang
Min Fu
Zaiyong Zheng
Jianguo Feng
Chunxiang Zhang
author_sort Yi Wang
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes and are extensively implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of snoRNAs, encompassing their classification, biogenesis, and both canonical and noncanonical functions. Canonical roles include guiding RNA modifications such as 2′‐O‐methylation, pseudouridylation, and N4‐acetylcytidine modification in targeted RNA molecules, as well as facilitating ribosome biogenesis. Noncanonical roles involve regulating mRNA processing, modulating alternative splicing, generating snoRNA‐derived small RNAs, and interacting with long noncoding RNAs. Dysregulation of snoRNAs has been implicated in various human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, immunity‐ and inflammation‐related conditions, and aging, highlighting their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Advances in high‐throughput sequencing, structural biology, and bioinformatics tools have significantly contributed to the detection, screening, and exploration of the intricate biofunctions of snoRNAs. However, despite these technological advancements, challenges remain in unraveling the biological complexity of snoRNAs and translating these findings into clinical applications. This review discusses the current state of snoRNA research, recent technological breakthroughs, and future directions, emphasizing their emerging roles in health and disease.
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spelling doaj-art-94aeb776feee4abfb7f99f1dd4e0a2c62025-08-20T03:27:51ZengWileyMedComm2688-26632025-07-0167n/an/a10.1002/mco2.70257Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and DiseasesYi Wang0Min Fu1Zaiyong Zheng2Jianguo Feng3Chunxiang Zhang4Department of Anesthesiology The Affiliated Hospital Southwest Medical University Luzhou Sichuan Province ChinaSchool of Basic Medical Science Southwest Medical University Luzhou Sichuan ChinaDepartment of Cardiology The Affiliated Hospital Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology Ministry of Education Institute of Cardiovascular Research Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases Ministry of Education Southwest Medical University Luzhou Sichuan ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology The Affiliated Hospital Southwest Medical University Luzhou Sichuan Province ChinaDepartment of Cardiology The Affiliated Hospital Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology Ministry of Education Institute of Cardiovascular Research Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases Ministry of Education Southwest Medical University Luzhou Sichuan ChinaABSTRACT Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in diverse cellular processes and are extensively implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of snoRNAs, encompassing their classification, biogenesis, and both canonical and noncanonical functions. Canonical roles include guiding RNA modifications such as 2′‐O‐methylation, pseudouridylation, and N4‐acetylcytidine modification in targeted RNA molecules, as well as facilitating ribosome biogenesis. Noncanonical roles involve regulating mRNA processing, modulating alternative splicing, generating snoRNA‐derived small RNAs, and interacting with long noncoding RNAs. Dysregulation of snoRNAs has been implicated in various human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, immunity‐ and inflammation‐related conditions, and aging, highlighting their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Advances in high‐throughput sequencing, structural biology, and bioinformatics tools have significantly contributed to the detection, screening, and exploration of the intricate biofunctions of snoRNAs. However, despite these technological advancements, challenges remain in unraveling the biological complexity of snoRNAs and translating these findings into clinical applications. This review discusses the current state of snoRNA research, recent technological breakthroughs, and future directions, emphasizing their emerging roles in health and disease.https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70257cancercardiovascular diseasesnucleic acid‐based drugsneurological diseasessmall nucleolar RNAs
spellingShingle Yi Wang
Min Fu
Zaiyong Zheng
Jianguo Feng
Chunxiang Zhang
Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases
MedComm
cancer
cardiovascular diseases
nucleic acid‐based drugs
neurological diseases
small nucleolar RNAs
title Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases
title_full Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases
title_fullStr Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases
title_short Small Nucleolar RNAs: Biological Functions and Diseases
title_sort small nucleolar rnas biological functions and diseases
topic cancer
cardiovascular diseases
nucleic acid‐based drugs
neurological diseases
small nucleolar RNAs
url https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70257
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AT minfu smallnucleolarrnasbiologicalfunctionsanddiseases
AT zaiyongzheng smallnucleolarrnasbiologicalfunctionsanddiseases
AT jianguofeng smallnucleolarrnasbiologicalfunctionsanddiseases
AT chunxiangzhang smallnucleolarrnasbiologicalfunctionsanddiseases