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Review
. 2022 Aug 12:12:939465.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939465. eCollection 2022.

Small but strong: Pivotal roles and potential applications of snoRNAs in hematopoietic malignancies

Jian Dong  1   2   3 , Hui Wang  1   2   3 , Zhaoru Zhang  1   2   3 , Lin Yang  1   2   3 , Xinyue Qian  1   2   3 , Wenchang Qian  1   2   3 , Yingli Han  1   2   3 , He Huang  2   3   4 , Pengxu Qian  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Small but strong: Pivotal roles and potential applications of snoRNAs in hematopoietic malignancies

Jian Dong et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) belong to a family of noncoding RNAs that are 60-300 nucleotides in length, and they are classified into two classes according to their structure and function: C/D box snoRNAs, playing an essential role in 2'-O-methylation modification on ribosomal RNA; H/ACA box snoRNAs, involved in the pseudouridylation of rRNA. SnoRNAs with unclear functions, no predictable targets, and unusual subcellular locations are called orphan snoRNAs. Recent studies have revealed abnormal expression and demonstrated the pivotal roles of snoRNAs and their host genes in various types of hematological malignancies. This review discusses recent discoveries concerning snoRNAs in a variety of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia, and sheds light on the application of snoRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic targets of hematological malignancies in the future.

Keywords: 2’-O-methylation; epigenetics; hematological malignancies; rRNA modification; small nucleolar RNA.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The biogenesis of snoRNAs and SNHGs. (A). Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are mainly located in introns. After splicing and maturation, mature snoRNAs are exported to the nucleolus, where they assist in the modification and processing of rRNA and snRNA. (B). Small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) are transcribed and act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) by antagonizing miRNAs and modulating the translation of target genes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representative mechanisms of snoRNAs in hematopoietic malignancies. (A). snoRNA ACA11 resulted in accumulated 45S pre-rRNA, promoted proliferation, and increased cell size. (B). SNHG sponged miRNAs and promoted myeloma cell immune evasion. (C). AML1-ETO protein promoted self-renewal of AML cells depending on the interaction between C/D box snoRNA and DDX21. (D). DDX41R525H/- caused dysregulation in hematopoiesis, downregulation of snoRNA expression, and defects in ribosome biogenesis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Potential application of snoRNAs in the diagnosis, classification, strengthening radiosensitivity, drug development, and personalized therapy of hematopoietic malignancies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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