Journal Article

Non-coding RNAs: lessons from the small nuclear and small nucleolar RNAs

Terns, Michael P., Terns, Rebecca M., Matera, A. Gregory

2007

Overview

Key Points We now understand that genomes in all three domains of life produce functional RNAs that do not encode proteins (non-coding (nc)RNAs), but do exert important influences on diverse cellular processes. Most ncRNAs function with essential partner proteins (that is, as non-coding ribonucleoproteins; ncRNPs) and use cognate antisense elements to interact with target molecules. The small nuclear (sn)RNAs and small nucleolar (sno)RNAs are founding members of the family of ncRNAs that helped to establish these common paradigms. Recent studies of the snRNPs and snoRNPs have revealed unexpectedly elaborate biogenesis pathways that will probably also be travelled by other ncRNPs. snRNAs and snoRNAs can be transcribed from independent promoters (similar to mRNAs) or can be encoded within intronic sequences. RNA function can require multiple partner proteins with roles that might include modulating RNA structure or securing an enzyme, as well as catalysing the reaction. Assembling a functional complex seems to involve a series of non-functional intermediate states that are matured by a series of cellular factors along a defined physical pathway in the cell. These transport and assembly steps might serve as control points for the regulation of the activity of a given ncRNP. Recent studies have revealed remarkable complexity in the biogenesis, trafficking and mechanisms of action of small nuclear and small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). The principles of RNP-complex formation can be used to understand the regulation and function of other non-coding RNPs. Recent advances have fuelled rapid growth in our appreciation of the tremendous number, diversity and biological importance of non-coding (nc)RNAs. Because ncRNAs typically function as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes and not as naked RNAs, understanding their biogenesis is crucial to comprehending their regulation and function. The small nuclear and small nucleolar RNPs are two well studied classes of ncRNPs with elaborate assembly and trafficking pathways that provide paradigms for understanding the biogenesis of other ncRNPs.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Animals / Binding sites / Biochemistry / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biosynthesis / Cancer Research / Cell Biology / Cell Nucleus - metabolism / Developmental Biology / DNA methylation / Genes / Genomes / Human genome / Humans / Life Sciences / MicroRNAs / Nucleic Acid Conformation / Protein binding / Proteins / review-article / Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear - metabolism / Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar - metabolism / RNA polymerase / RNA processing / RNA, Small Nuclear - chemistry / RNA, Small Nuclear - genetics / RNA, Small Nuclear - metabolism / RNA, Small Nucleolar - chemistry / RNA, Small Nucleolar - genetics / RNA, Small Nucleolar - metabolism / RNA, Untranslated - chemistry / RNA, Untranslated - genetics / RNA, Untranslated - metabolism / Stem Cells / Transcription, Genetic / Transfer RNA