Small nucleolar RNAs functioning and potential roles in cancer

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important regulatory molecules involved in various physiological and pathological cellular processes. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), subclass of small ncRNAs, have been considered important but unglamorous elements in the production of protein synthesis machinery of cells. However, recent evidence has indicated that these non-coding RNAs might have a crucial role also in controlling cell behavior, and snoRNAs dysfunction could significantly contribute to carcinogenesis. Here, we summarize the most important aspects of snoRNAs biology, their functioning in cancer cell, and potential usage in diagnosis or as a new class of therapeutic targets in cancer.