Small Cajal body-specific RNA
small cajal body specific RNAs (scaRNAs) are a class of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) which specifically localise to the Cajal body, a nuclear organelle involved in the biogenesis of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs or snurps). ScaRNAs guide the modification (methylation and pseudouridylation) of RNA polymerase II transcribed spliceosomal RNAs U1, U2, U4, U5 and U12.
The first scaRNA identified was U85 [1]. It is unlike typical snoRNAs in that it is a composite C/D box and H/ACA box snoRNAs and can guide both pseudouridylation and 2'-O-methylation. Not all scaRNAs are composite C/D and H/ACA box snoRNA and most scaRNAs are structurally and functionally indistinguishable from snoRNAs directing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modification in the nucleolus.
External links
snoRNAbase: human H/ACA and C/D box snoRNA database
References
- ^ Jády BE, Kiss T (2001). "A small nucleolar guide RNA functions both in 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation of the U5 spliceosomal RNA". EMBO J. 20 (3): 541–51. doi:10.1093/emboj/20.3.541. PMID 11157760.
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