Small Cajal body-specific RNA

Small Cajal body specific RNA 1
Predicted secondary structure of Small Cajal body specific RNA 1
Identifiers
SymbolSCARNA1
RfamRF00553
Other data
RNA typegene, snRNA, snoRNA, scaRNA;
Domain(s)Vertebrata
PDB structuresPDBe

Small Cajal body-specific RNAs (scaRNAs) are a class of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) that specifically localise to the Cajal body, a nuclear organelle (cellular sub-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.

  1. ^ Jády BE, Kiss T (February 2001). "A small nucleolar guide RNA functions both in 2′-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation of the U5 spliceosomal RNA". The EMBO Journal. 20 (3): 541–551. doi:10.1093/emboj/20.3.541. PMC 133463. PMID 11157760.