SnoRNA microarray analysis reveals changes in H/ACA and C/D RNA levels caused by dyskerin ablation in mouse liver

Biochem J. 2010 Jul 1;429(1):33-41. doi: 10.1042/BJ20091898.

Abstract

snoRNAs (small nucleolar RNAs) are key components of snoRNP (small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein) particles involved in modifying specific residues of ribosomal and other RNAs by pseudouridylation (H/ACA snoRNAs) or methylation (C/D snoRNAs). They are encoded within the introns of host genes, which tend to be genes whose products are involved in ribosome biogenesis or function. Although snoRNPs are abundant, ubiquitous and their components highly conserved, information concerning their expression during development or how their expression is altered in diseased states is sparse. To facilitate these studies we have developed a snoRNA microarray platform for the analysis of the abundance of snoRNAs in different RNA samples. In the present study we show that the microarray is sensitive and specific for the detection of snoRNAs. A mouse snoRNA microarray was used to monitor changes in abundance of snoRNAs after ablation of dyskerin, an H/ACA snoRNA protein component, from mouse liver, which causes a decrease in ribosome production. H/ACA snoRNAs were decreased in abundance in these livers while, unexpectedly, C/D snoRNAs were increased. The increase in C/D snoRNAs corresponded with an increase in the abundance of the mRNAs transcribed from snoRNA host genes, suggesting the increase may be part of a cellular response to defective ribosome synthesis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nuclear Proteins / deficiency*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Array Analysis / methods*
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / analysis
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / metabolism*
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar / analysis
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar / genetics
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar / metabolism
  • Ribosomes / genetics
  • Ribosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • DKC1 protein, human
  • GAR1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar