Small nucleolar RNA SNORD18

In molecular biology, SNORD18 (also known as U18) is a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecule which functions in the modification of other small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). This type of modifying RNA is usually located in the nucleolus of the eukaryotic cell which is a major site of snRNA biogenesis. It is known as a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) and also often referred to as a guide RNA.

Small nucleolar RNA SNORD18
Identifiers
SymbolSNORD18
Alt. SymbolsU18
RfamRF00093
Other data
RNA typeGene; snRNA; snoRNA; CD-box
Domain(s)Eukaryota
GOGO:0006396 GO:0005730
SOSO:0000593
PDB structuresPDBe

U18 belongs to the C/D box class of snoRNAs which contain the conserved sequence motifs known as the C box (UGAUGA) and the D box (CUGA). Most of the members of the box C/D family function in directing site-specific 2'-O-methylation of substrate RNAs.[1]

In humans and Xenopus laevis there are three closely related copies of U18 (called U18A, U18B, U18C) which are encoded in introns of ribosomal protein L1.[2] In yeast U18 is located in the introns of Elongation Factor 1 beta (EF1-beta). Related snoRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice Oryza sativa have been named R63 and Z106 respectively. Factors involved in the processing of the intronic snoRNA have recently been elucidated.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Galardi, S.; Fatica, A.; Bachi, A.; Scaloni, A.; Presutti, C.; Bozzoni, I. (October 2002). "Purified Box C/D snoRNPs Are Able to Reproduce Site-Specific 2'-O-Methylation of Target RNA in Vitro". Molecular and Cellular Biology. 22 (19): 6663–6668. doi:10.1128/MCB.22.19.6663-6668.2002. PMC 134041. PMID 12215523.
  2. ^ Prislei S, Michienzi A, Presutti C, Fragapane P, Bozzoni I (1993). "Two different snoRNAs are encoded in introns of amphibian and human L1 ribosomal protein genes". Nucleic Acids Res. 21 (25): 5824–30. doi:10.1093/nar/21.25.5824. PMC 310460. PMID 7507233.
  3. ^ Giorgi C, Fatica A, Nagel R, Bozzoni I (2001). "Release of U18 snoRNA from its host intron requires interaction of Nop1p with the Rnt1p endonuclease". EMBO J. 20 (23): 6856–65. doi:10.1093/emboj/20.23.6856. PMC 125767. PMID 11726521.
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