Advances in the study of nucleolar small RNAs in colorectal cancer

Ziwen Yuan1, Yafang Chen1, Sicong Liu1

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.

Iscience
|February 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are crucial in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. These molecules show promise as biomarkers for early detection and improved cancer management through liquid biopsies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Oncology
  • Biomarker discovery

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents a significant global health burden, necessitating advanced diagnostic methods.
  • Emerging research highlights the involvement of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in the pathogenesis of CRC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular and functional aspects of snoRNAs in CRC.
  • To explore the role of snoRNAs in colorectal carcinogenesis.
  • To assess the potential of snoRNAs as liquid biopsy biomarkers for clinical application.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on snoRNAs and CRC.
  • Analysis of molecular characteristics and physiological functions of snoRNAs.
  • Discussion of snoRNA mechanisms in colorectal cancer development.

Main Results:

  • snoRNAs exhibit diverse molecular characteristics and physiological roles relevant to cancer.
  • Specific snoRNAs are implicated in the mechanisms driving colorectal carcinogenesis.
  • snoRNAs demonstrate potential as non-invasive biomarkers in liquid biopsies.

Conclusions:

  • snoRNAs are integral to colorectal cancer progression and represent promising targets for diagnostics.
  • Further research into snoRNAs could lead to novel clinical strategies for CRC detection and management.
  • The translation of snoRNA-based liquid biopsies holds significant prospects for improving patient outcomes in CRC.

Related Concept Videos

The Nucleolus02:55

The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
10.5K
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
10.0K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.4K
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
18.8K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
8.0K