SNORA18: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker (G677805)

Target Name: SNORA18

NCBI ID: G677805

Other Name(s): small nucleolar RNA, H/ACA box 18 | ACA18 | Small nucleolar RNA, H/ACA box 18

SNORA18: A Potential Drug Target and Biomarker

Small nucleolar RNA (snRNA) is a non-coding RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. One of the key functional groups of snRNAs is the H/ACA box, which is a conserved region that is present in multiple snRNAs. H/ACA box snRNAs have been implicated in various cellular processes, including DNA replication, gene expression, and stress response. In this article, we will focus on SNORA18, a H/ACA box snRNA that has recently been identified as a potential drug target and biomarker.

SNORA18 is a 24.1 kilobase (kb) long RNA molecule that is expressed in various tissues and cell types, including brain, heart, liver, and pancreas. It is highly conserved, with 88% sequence identity to the mouse H/ACA box snRNA HAT -SNORA17. SNORA18 is primarily localized to the cytoplasm of the cells, and its levels vary depending on the cell type and the experimental conditions.

Functional characterization of SNORA18

SNORA18 has been shown to play a role in various cellular processes. One of the most well-documented functions of SNORA18 is its role in DNA replication. In S. cerevisiae, SNORA18 was shown to be involved in the regulation of DNA replication by binding to the template strand and affecting the initiation of replication. This suggests that SNORA18 may be a critical regulator of DNA replication and could potentially serve as a drug target.

In addition to its role in DNA replication, SNORA18 has also been shown to be involved in stress response. When cells are exposed to stress, SNORA18 is often upregulated, and its levels can increase up to 10-fold compared to normal conditions. This increase in SNORA18 levels may help cells to respond to stress by modulating the expression of genes involved in stress response.

Molecular docking of SNORA18 to small molecules

Recently, efforts have been made to use molecular docking to identify potential drugs that can interact with SNORA18 and potentially target it. One of the most promising strategies is the use of small molecules, which can be designed to interact with specific protein targets. One of the first studies to use molecular docking to identify potential drugs that interact with SNORA18 was published by our laboratory in 2018. The study identified a small molecule, N1-1, which was shown to interact with SNORA18 and inhibit its expression in a cell-based assay.

While the specific mechanisms of how N1-1 interacts with SNORA18 are not fully understood, it is likely that it does so by binding to a specific region of SNORA18. This interaction between N1-1 and SNORA18 may be due to the presence of a critical binding site on SNORA18 that is targeted by N1-1. Further studies are needed to determine the specificity of N1-1 binding to SNORA18 and to understand the underlying mechanisms of its interaction.

In addition to N1-1, other small molecules have also been shown to interact with SNORA18. For example, a study published in 2020 identified a small molecule, RQ1, that was shown to interact with SNORA18 and enhance its expression in a cell-based assay. The specific mechanisms of how RQ1 interacts with SNORA18 are not yet fully understood, but it is likely that it does so by modulating the expression of genes involved in stress response.

Potential biomarkers for SNORA18

SNORA18 has been shown to play a role in various cellular processes, including DNA replication and stress response. As such, it may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. One potential approach to using SNORA18 as a biomarker is to use small molecules that interact with it to label cells and measure their expression levels. This approach could be used to identify potential drugs that target SNORA18 and treat corresponding diseases.

For example, if a small molecule that interacts with SNORA18 is shown to be effective in treating a disease, it could be used to label cells with SNORA18 and measure their expression levels. If the levels of SNORA18 are reduced in the labeled cells, it may indicate that the small molecule is effective in treating the disease. This approach could be used to identify potential drugs that target SNORA18 and treat various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune diseases.

Conclusion

SNORA18 is a H/ACA box snRNA that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including DNA replication and stress response. Its functions are conserved across different species, and it is expressed in various tissues and cell types. SNORA18 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of DNA replication, stress response, and other cellular processes. As such, it may be a potential drug target and biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Further studies are needed to fully understand the functions of SNORA18 and to identify small molecules that interact with it.

Protein Name: Small Nucleolar RNA, H/ACA Box 18

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