SNRNPQ

SNRNPQ, or small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide Q, is a protein encoded by the SNRNPQ gene in humans. It is a component of the spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs), which are essential for the removal of introns from precursor messenger RNA.

In cells, SNRNPQ localizes to the nucleus and is associated with mature snRNPs as part of the spliceosome. It interacts with other core snRNP proteins and snRNA, contributing to the stability and function of the complex. Through these interactions, SNRNPQ is thought to participate in the assembly or maintenance of the spliceosome and to aid in proper recognition of splice sites during pre-mRNA splicing.

Evolutionarily, SNRNPQ is conserved across many eukaryotes that possess the spliceosome, reflecting its role in RNA processing. In humans, the gene is expressed broadly, with expression patterns consistent with a general role in transcriptional and splicing demand.

Clinical significance for SNRNPQ is not well established. There are no widely recognized disease associations linked to mutations or dysregulation of SNRNPQ, although given the central role of splicing factors in gene expression, perturbations could theoretically affect splicing patterns. Ongoing research continues to define its precise contributions to snRNP assembly, spliceosome dynamics, and RNA processing.

See also: splicing, spliceosome, snRNP.