The role of OncoSnoRNAs and Ribosomal RNA 2'-O-methylation in Cancer

RNA Biol. 2021 Oct 15;18(sup1):61-74. doi: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1991167. Epub 2021 Nov 14.

Abstract

Ribosomes are essential nanomachines responsible for all protein production in cells. Ribosome biogenesis and function are energy costly processes, they are tightly regulated to match cellular needs. In cancer, major pathways that control ribosome biogenesis and function are often deregulated to ensure cell survival and to accommodate the continuous proliferation of tumour cells. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are abundantly modified with 2'-O-methylation (Nm, ribomethylation) being one of the most common modifications. In eukaryotic ribosomes, ribomethylation is performed by the methyltransferase Fibrillarin guided by box C/D small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). Accumulating evidences indicate that snoRNA expression and ribosome methylation profiles are altered in cancer. Here we review our current knowledge on differential snoRNA expression and rRNA 2'-O methylation in the context of human malignancies, and discuss the consequences and opportunities for cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics.

Keywords: Fibrillarin; Ribosome; box C/D snoRNA; cancer biomarker; cancer diagnostics; cancer prognostics; cancer therapeutics; ribosomal RNA 2’-O-methylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Methylation
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional*
  • RNA, Ribosomal / chemistry*
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / genetics*
  • Ribosomes / genetics
  • Ribosomes / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar

Grants and funding

The preparation of this review was a collaborative effort of members of the COST Action CA16120 - European Epitranscriptomics Network - EPITRAN https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA16120/; https://epitran.eu/ and was supported by a PhD fellowship FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia fundação para a ciência e a tecnologia SFRH/BD/136007/2018</#AWARD-ID;>, and an EUR fellowship Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam 2018-CvB/RE/PJ/RA00279215. DLJL Lab is supported by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique ((F.R.S./FNRS), the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the Région Wallone, and the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP-RD).